Lead-Based Paint in Your Home:

1
Lead-Based Paint in Your Home What the Risks
Are and What is Being Done About it
About Lead-Based Paint
The Risks for Your Family
Risks Around the World
CHINA A recent study shows that half of the
newly manufactured paints in China contained at
least 600ppm lead, whereas 25 exceeded 5,000ppm.
The highest sample contained 153,000ppm lead,
accounting for about 15 of the total paint
weight (8). INDIA Researchers recently
tested paint that was intended for residential
use in India. They found that 84 of oil-based
paints exceeded the legal level of .06
(4). NIGERIA Paint samples from building in
four major Nigerian cities were tested for lead
levels. The results showed that high lead levels
are extremely present in the paint (9).

• Having lead-based paint in your home puts
  your entire family at risk for lead poisoning.
  Children are the most susceptible to lead
  poisoning. Furthermore, household pets,
  especially dogs, can also feel the negative
  effects of lead exposure. Here are some of the
  medical risks of living in a lead-contaminated
  home (1).
• The most common way of getting lead poisoning for
  children is by ingestion of paint chips called
  pica. Pica has a sweet flavor, enticing children
  to eat the paint chips repeatedly (1).
• Children may also get lead poisoning by playing
  in lead-contaminated soil outside your home (1).
• Lead gets into the blood stream and can damage
  the brain, kidneys, nerves, and blood (1).
• Lead poisoning can cause behavioral disorders,
  learning problems, and seizures (1).
• Symptoms include headaches, stomachaches, nausea,
  tiredness, and irritability (1).
• Some children show no signs of lead poisoning (1).

• Why is lead used in paint?
• Lead gives the paint a lusty color (9).
• Leaded paint dries quickly (4).
• It is resistant to corrosion (4).
• White lead, or cerruse, is used in white paints.
• Galena, or lead sulfide, is used to make black
  paints.
• Minium, another form of lead, is used in red
  pigments.
• Yellow chromate lead makes a very brilliant
  yellow paint.

What the Government Is Doing
What You Can Do To Stay Healthy

• If there is lead-based paint in your home,
  there are certain precautions that can be taken
  to lessen your exposure to lead.
• Wipe down flat surfaces with a damp paper towel
  (1).
• Pay special attention to surfaces such as window
  sills, where paint can easily be ground to dust
  (1).
• Mop smooth floors at least once every week (1).
• Vacuum carpets and upholstery to control dust
  (3).
• Avoid creating lead dust when remodeling or
  maintaining your home (10).
• Frequently wash your childs hands and toys (1).
• Carefully dispose of loose paint chips (1).
• Remove or cover the painted item (10).
• Have your home and your family tested for lead
  exposure (10).

EPA
CPSC
FDA
The Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention
Act prohibited the use of lead-based paint on
cooking, drinking, and eating utensils made after
January 13, 1971. Furthermore, it forbade the use
of leaded paint on toys and furniture, and on
houses constructed or rehabilitated by the
government (7).
In the fall of 1977, the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission finalized a ban on
leaded paint. The ban stipulates that only .06
lead can be present in consumer paints.
Previously, the maximum legal level was .5. The
action was taken in order to reduce lead
poisoning in children, who may ingest paint chips
or peelings (2).
The EPA sponsors a lead-based paint
abatement and activities regulation. Abatement
refers to permanent elimination of lead-based
paint hazards. This includes preparation,
cleanup, and clearance testing of authorized
programs (5).
HUD
The HUDs Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control
Grant Program works to identify and control
lead-based paint in homes. Annually, HUD spends
approximately 90 million on grants to remove
lead from eligible homes. This is the largest
grant program in the country for lead paint
removal (6).
Alecia Riccio Science and Society December
11, 2008