What are the dangers of lead exposure?

Exposure to lead is actually a poisoning that usually occurs by either inhaling or ingesting lead particles or lead containing dust (LCD).  Lead exposure can be harmful to anyone but children and pregnant women are most susceptible to the harmful effects.   Once lead has entered the body, it will reside in either the respiratory or digestive tract before it is distributed into the blood stream.  Lead can stay in the body long after exposure.  Up to 90% of the contaminant will reside in the bone and can be re-released into the blood, re-exposing organs to the pollutant long after the initial exposure.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that about 1 in 22 children in America have high levels of lead in their blood.  Lead can be found many ways in and around the home.  Damaged or peeling paint inside and outside of a building is a classic example of areas that can produce lead dust.  This dust can than mix with soil outside and common dust indoors waiting to become an exposure threat.  Indoors, people can potentially inhale airborne dust or ingest lead through touching objects with lead dust and not washing their hands before eating.  This is a particular risk to children w

ho crawl around on the floor and put their hands to their mouths so often.  Unfortunately, lead does not decay and is not biodegradable. So to eliminate the risk the lead it must be completely removed from the area.

Although lead can harm anyone, the effects on children are exponential.  Children can absorb up to 70% of lead they encounter compared to only 20% in adults.  This statistic is mainly due to the fact that children have much more hand to mouth repetition in a single day.  Also, lead can be found on many things that children put in their mouths like toys that could be coated with lead paint before the ban went into effect.  Drinking water may also be contaminated if it is flowing through lead pipes.

Long term effects of lead in children can include: learning disabilities, decreased growth, hyperactivity, impaired hearing, and in severe cases brain damage.  If exposure is detected early, results can be reduced.  Even children who appear to be healthy can have high levels of lead in their blood.  The only way to assess the lead levels in the blood is to have the child tested.  This is most important where people reside in older homes that are more likely to have lead paint in some state of deterioration.  Blood testing is recommended for children ages one to two and children of families that have been exposed to high levels of lead. 

The following are tips from the EPA to lower the risk lead exposure to you and your family.

• ·         When risks are high, have children tested for lead in the blood
• ·         Keep your home clean and free of lead dust and chips.  Wet wiping or mopping is best.
• ·         Frequently wash children’s hands and anything that may come in contact with their mouths
• ·         Eat foods high in Calcium and Iron
• ·         Only use cold water to cook and drink the home or building has lead pipes.
• ·         Remove shoes before entering your home as to not track in soil that may be contaminated
• ·         Ware a respirator if sanding or grinding surfaces that could contain lead.  Wet clean all dust. 

If you suspect your property may be contaminated with lead, you should contact a licensed lead inspection and abatement company. Midwest Environmental Control, Inc. (MEC) has decades of experience in lead inspection and abatement. Contact MEC for a free estimate. (419) 382-9200