Lead paint in our homes—just the presence of it—can be dangerous, especially to our kids. And the scary thing is, it’s the dust that you don’t see that can be the biggest danger.
It has been thought for many years that the primary danger caused by lead paint was in kids eating the flakes of it that peel off trim and other painted surfaces. And while it is true that eating those chips is dangerous, most kids either aren’t exposed to peeling paint or don’t eat the flakes. Moreover, they’re easy to clean up.
The real danger for most people is much larger, because it is so much smaller: Lead-infused dust.
More children and adults are exposed to the dangers of lead paint in a fine dust—rather than chip—form. And the dust, which is dangerous according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in levels as small as one-half grain of salt, can cause developmental problems in children. Horrifying to think about.
I’ve taken the EPA’s RRP (Replace, Remodel, Paint) Lead Safety Training, and lead is nasty stuff. And the smaller it is, the more insidious it is. So, if you own a home built before 1978 (after 1978 lead as a paint additive was taken off the market) while you may think you’re safe because you’re not blowing out plaster walls or remodeling your kitchen, there may be more lead entering your daily life than you think.
The simple act of opening and closing doors and windows where the painted edges create friction against painted jams can dislodge enough lead to do damage. The reality for homeowners, if your home was built before 1978 and lead paint is present, is that best solution to this problem is to remove—using lead safe remodeling practices—and replace those doors and windows.
What’s more, it’ll not only remove a possible danger from your home, but help you heat and cool it more efficiently. The other cool thing abut windows and doors—unlike, say a full kitchen remodel—is that you have a choice how and when you do them. You can go all at once or a few at a time as time and budget permit. For more information visit Simonton Windows and get the lead out.
[…] Lead paint. Lead paint was used mostly on trim and doors. The older the door, the more likely that at least one of its coats of paint have lead and lead is especially dangerous to young kids. The flecky paint looks ‘vintage’ but may also poison. Just saying’…Use a test kit for extra safety […]