Why is there a National Lead Paint week? Lead Paint is no longer used, right?

Lead Paint issues are Still a Big Resale Issue and that is why October 20 to 26 is National Lead Poisoning week.  The week as named to raise awareness and ultimately prevent children and adults from suffering the effects of lead poisoning.

Lead is found in many places in our environment from the soil to our homes. In the home, the common concern is lead based paint.  Lead-based house paint was banned in the U.S. in 1978 but if you are buying a home built before that date lead may be present. The older the home the greater likelihood lead paint will be present. Sixty-nine percent of dwellings built before 1950 will have lead paint present. Eighty-seven percent of homes, buildings, and schools built prior to 1940 will have lead based paint.

Lead is poisonous to both children and adults and no amount of exposure is considered safe. Even low levels of lead poisoning can damage hearing, learning ability and problems with coordination. At higher levels of concentration in the body, lead can interfere with the production of blood cells, and damage the kidneys and digestion. In children lead poisoning often goes unnoticed until the disease is serious.

In 2010 the Federal Government enacted the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule. The rule requires that contractors performing renovation on homes constructed prior to 1978 be certified and trained by the EPA in safe lead removal practices. At the time of their work, Contractors are to give home owners a pamphlet guide to renovation.

While homeowners can still perform their own renovations, they are required to follow lead-safe practices. Home owners can get information on how to protect themselves, and their families from exposure by calling the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323.)

Should homeowners be concerned?  Under normal circumstance the concern is for paint that is chipping, flaking or peeling. If you are uncertain of the age of your home or want to know if lead based paint is present an accredited inspector can perform tests on all painted surfaces inside and outside the home or a homeowner can purchase a lead testing kit which is then sent to a lab for processing.

But given the about amount of dust and debris created during a renovation, prevention is better than taking a risk with your health or your family’s. And while the precautions required to deal with effects of lead poisoning may seem inconvenient so is the disease. Before you begin your renovations ask your contractor if he or she has training in lead-safe practices before work begins.

For more information on lead in the environment go to https://www2.epa.gov/lead.  The State of Maryland also has a wealth of information on their website as well as a list of local certified contractors and inspectors at: https://www.mde.state.md.us/programs/Land/LeadPoisoningPrevention/Pages/Programs/LandPrograms/LeadCoordination/index.aspx