There are over 3.5 million homes built before 1978 in
Australia. Most of them have paint that contains high levels of lead – a highly
toxic metal, which if not managed can endanger human health, especially young
children and pregnant women.
If
your house is built prior to 1978 it most likely contains lead paint, unless it
was removed during previous renovations.
If
you suspect that your house has lead hazards ask a professional painter trained
in lead management to test the area. DIY lead test kits also are available from
most paint or hardware stores.
Why Is Lead Dangerous?
Lead cannot be excreted. It stores
in the body for up to 20-30 years in bone, from where it can be mobilized back
into the blood. From a single exposure, lead is readily absorbed and quickly
distributed to the following areas of the body: blood (1%), soft tissue (4%)
and bones/teeth (95%).
Lead is especially dangerous for
children under the age of 6. It can cause irreversible brain damage and can
impair mental functioning. It can retard mental and physical development and
reduce attention span.
In adults, lead poisoning can cause
irritability, problems with reproduction, poor muscle coordination and nerve
damage to the sense organs and nerves controlling the body. Lead distorts the
production of red blood cells in the body. Anaemia can occur if lead accumulates in blood
and in blood-forming tissues (bone marrow).
Where is lead paint found?
Lead paint can be present on any
painted surface, but it is most often found on internal woodwork, house
verandas and outside walls.
Similar to asbestos, lead paint is
not usually a hazard if it is in good condition and left undisturbed. It is the
dust from deteriorating or damaged lead-based paint that is very dangerous.
Prior to 1978 the oxide of lead was
commonly used as a whitener and drying agent in paints in Australia. Today, it
has been replaced by titanium dioxide. Lead is a designated hazardous substance
by the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 and its use is highly regulated.
What To Do If Your House Contains Lead?
There
are some immediate actions you can take to reduce your family’s risk of lead
poisoning:
- If you
rent, notify your landlord of peeling or chipping paint.
- Consult
your doctor. A simple blood test can detect high levels of lead in
children and adults.
- Clean up
paint chips immediately.
- Clean
floors, window frames, window sills, and other surfaces weekly.
- Wash
children’s hands often, especially before they eat and before nap or bed
time.
- Keep play
areas clean. Wash bottles, pacifiers, toys, and stuffed animals regularly.
- Keep
children from chewing window sills or other painted surfaces.
- Make sure
children eat nutritious, low-fat meals high in iron and calcium, such as spinach
and dairy products. Children with good diets absorb less lead.
Removing Lead From Your House
Use
a professional painter trained in lead paint management to remove lead based
pant.
Do
not attempt to do it yourself. In recent decades, the majority of children
admitted to hospitals with lead poisoning were as a result of unsafe home
renovation and maintenance activities.
Never
attempt to remove lead-based paint with a belt-sander, propane torch, high
temperature heat gun, dry scraper or dry sandpaper. These actions create large amounts
of lead dust and fumes. Lead dust can remain in your home and around it long
after the work is done.
Sasha
Nadezhkin from Ol‘Paiting has over 10 years of experience in lead paint
removal.
Sources: www.lead.org.au , www.housing.nsw.gov.au , www.environment.gov.au , “Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home” by EPA,
MPL Laboratories “Fact Sheet”
Admit it! Most of us have a thing for colour swatches. If you never collected at least a dozen of swatches – you probably never painted your home. Having to choose a single colour from the pile of beautiful sweet little swatches is an absolute torture! But did it even appear to you that you can have them ALL?!!
