When it comes to old houses, one of the most common dangers is lead paint. Lead paint was used in homes up until the late 1970s, and it can still be found in some homes today. While lead paint is not necessarily dangerous if it’s in good condition, it can become a serious health hazard if it’s deteriorating.
If you live in an older home, it’s important to be aware of the dangers of lead paint. Here’s what you need to know.
What is lead paint?
Lead paint is a type of paint that contains lead. Lead is a toxic metal that can be harmful to your health if you’re exposed to it. Lead paint was used in homes for many years because it was durable and inexpensive.
However, we now know that lead is dangerous to your health, particularly for children. Lead exposure can cause learning and behavior problems, and it can also lead to serious health problems like kidney damage and high blood pressure.
What are the dangers of lead paint?
If you live in an older home, there’s a good chance that it contains lead paint. If the paint is in good condition, it’s not necessarily dangerous. However, if the paint is deteriorating, it can release lead into the air.
When lead is released into the air, it can be inhaled or ingested. This can lead to lead poisoning, which can cause a variety of health problems, including:
• Learning and behavior problems
• Kidney damage
• High blood pressure
• Anemia
• Memory problems
• Muscle and joint pain
• Headaches
If you think you may have been exposed to lead, it’s important to see a doctor right away. Lead poisoning can be treated, but it’s important to catch it early.
How can you protect yourself from lead paint?
If you live in an older home, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself from lead paint.
First, you can have your home tested for lead. A trained professional can test the paint in your home and tell you if it contains lead.
If your home does have lead paint, you can take steps to reduce your exposure. For example, you can:
• Keep your home clean and dust-free.
• Wet-mop floors and wet-wipe surfaces to prevent lead dust from getting into the air.
• Remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead dust.
• Cover lead paint with wallpaper or paint.
• Don’t sand or burn lead paint.
• Don’t try to remove lead paint yourself.
If you’re planning to renovate your home, it’s important to hire a contractor who is certified to work with lead paint. These contractors have the training and experience to safely remove lead paint.
If you live in an older home, it’s important to be aware of the dangers of lead paint. Lead paint can be dangerous if it’s deteriorating, so it’s important to take steps to protect yourself.