Lindsay Pasquale
Blog
Lead Paint
Lead is a highly toxic metal that could potential cause a range of
health problems. Lead is natural occurring and comes from recycled materials
such as car batteries. There are a variety of materials that use lead; gasoline,
tank liners, pesticide’s, plastics, batteries, x-ray shielding, pipes, fishing
sinkers, cable covers, brass, bronze and many more. Its widely used because of
the low cost, low melting point, corrosion resistance, waterproof nature and
malleability.
Growing up you always heard of the danger of lead in older homes. It
was mostly found in the windowsills, or flaked onto the ground. It became a
danger to young children because they would tend to get it in their mouths and it
would become a risk for their health. But it’s not only found in old homes, it
can be in all parts of the environment such as the air, soil, or water. Exposure
can come from human activities like the use of fossil fuels, types of industrial
facilities, lead base paint in homes, or the use of leaded gasoline. Lead compounds
can be found in many products found in our homes such as paint, ceramics,
plumbing materials and pipes, gasoline, batteries, ammunition, and cosmetics. Lead
can enter the environment by industrial sources or from past and current uses.
EPA states that natural levels of lead in soil range between 50 and 400 parts
per million (ppm). Levels have increased in the past due to mining, smelting,
and refining activities. When lead is released from these sources, it travels
far along before it sets into the ground. Federal and state regulatory
standards have helped decrease the levels of lead in the air, drinking water,
soil, consumer products, food, and occupational settings.
Children are particularly at risk, their bodies tend to absorb more
lead than adults do and their brain and nervous systems are more susceptible to
the damaging effects from it. What do children like to do the most? Put things
in their mouths, from toys, to other objects they find or their own hands. They
are not only exposed by ingestion but it can also be airborne, lead based paint
and deteriorate into the air and they could breathe it in, or renovations in
older buildings and homes. Adults can be exposed just as easy, but eating and
drinking from dishes that contain lead.
Children six years old or younger are most likely to experience the
harmful effects of lead. It can cause behavior and learning problems, lower IQ,
slowed growth, hearing problems, and anemia. There are ways for people to lower
their chances of getting exposed to lead. You can take simple steps like
keeping your home clean and well maintained, inspect and maintain all painted
surfaces, wash children’s hands and their toys.
There are a lot of children toys here in the United States that
contain exceeding levels of lead. Even though we have regulations and
standards, other countries do not. Toys that come from China or India for
example can be harmful. One common toy you see in stores that have been tested
for high levels of lead are the shiny, metallic, fake jewelry you see little
girls wear. I found this shocking, considering of how hazardous lead is to
humans.
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