Healthy Homes - Indoor Air Quality

Children and Lead

submitted by Lorene Bartos, Extension Educator
This article appears in the October 23, 2005 Lincoln Journal Star Newspaper.

October 23-29 is Children and Lead Week, a part of a national educational promotion for healthy indoor air. This is a good time to learn about keeping children safe from the risk of lead poisoning.

Children face more serious risks from lead exposure than adults. Growing bodies are very sensitive to the effects of lead. In addition, childhood behaviors, such as hand-to-mouth activities, make it easy for lead to enter their bodies. Lead poisoning is a common pediatric health problem. It can affect children of all social classes in urban, suburban or rural housing.

Lead-based paint, which was widely used in residences until the mid-1970's, is a common source of lead poisoning in children. Most houses built before1950, contain lead-based paint. Lead-based paint is the most common source of lead in the home, even though it was banned in 1978.

There are numerous sources of lead in our environment. Lead does not decompose or rot, so it stays in place for a long time. Lead has been used in many materials throughout history.

Lead-based paint is found in many places in and around older houses. Examples include interior and exterior walls, ceilings, stairways, door and window trim, and baseboards. If surfaces containing lead-based paint are in good condition, they are not likely to pose a hazard. However, all lead-based paint surfaces should be inspected regularly to look for signs of wear or disintegration. Any signs of deterioration can easily release lead into the environment. In particular, watch for hazardous conditions such as chipping, flaking, abrasion and water damage.

Paint chips are a hazard, if eaten. However, lead-based paint contributes to a more serious hazard – lead dust. Today, for most children, the major source of lead is from contaminated dust. Lead dust is easily inhaled or ingested and very difficult to identify. Lead dust may be scattered throughout the house, on toys, floors, in play areas, soil and food.

Any home renovation disturbing lead-based paint can release very dangerous amounts of lead dust into the air in the house. If lead-based paint is a risk in the home, there are several ways to reduce the hazard. Lead abatement – removal of the paint – is costly and dangerous. Although it may be necessary, it should only be done by trained professionals. Sometimes, painted surfaces can be sealed with good quality paint or covered with another material. Renovation work should proceed only when those performing the work are well aware of the hazards and knowledgeable about how to reduce the risk.

Good maintenance and housekeeping practices, especially wet cleaning to reduce dust, can help control the risk of lead dust. If you live in an older home or know someone who does be alert to the hazards of lead paint.

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