How to Protect Your Family From Lead Paint In Your Home
In the 1960s and 1970s, widespread panic occurred regarding lead in the paint throughout people’s homes. In 1978, the federal government banned the use of lead-based paint after some states had already banned its use. The adverse effects of lead poisoning in the human body are pretty horrifying. Though any home built after 1978 doesn’t have lead-containing paint, it is still present in many homes under the layers of new paint across millions of US homes. Continue reading for ways to protect your family from the potential harm of lead paint found in your home.
Was your home built before 1978?
If no, you don’t need to worry about lead-based paint in your home, but precautions can still be taken to limit the exposure to lead in your daily life. A great resource is the Environmental Protection Agency’s or (EPAs) brochure on “How to Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home” here.
Protect yourself when cleaning lead-based dusr from windowsills.
If your home was built post-1978, know that you are not likely at high risk for lead-poisoning because a lot of protective measures have been taken over the years to ensure the safety of new homeowners and their families around lead paint. However, adverse health effects of lead poisoning on children and adults are reason enough to protect your family from any potential lead hazards.
Steps to take if you believe you have lead-containing paint in your home:
Contact a professional and certified inspector with a proper EPA testing kit and do not remove the paint yourself.
If renting, contact your landlord to fix peeling or chipped paint as soon as it occurs.
Keep floors, windowsills, and other home surfaces regularly clean to limit lead-based dust from contaminating your home.
Avoid exposure to lead under paint or other household surfaces by taking precautions when remodeling your home.
Hire painting or contracting professionals licensed to provide services that are Lead-Safe and approved by the EPA.
While a seller must disclose any lead hazards in the home before selling, have your new home checked for lead before purchase.
If you have concerns about potential lead poisoning, contact your doctor immediately to get a blood test for children and or a checkup for older family members.
Check out our video on the Jamie Meloni Real Estate Show, discussing the effects of lead-based paint in more detail. In the interview, we talk about how we can treat your home if you find that your paint is chipping or deteriorating and potentially subjecting you and your family to a hazardous material throughout your home.
Contact a professional painting contractor that can test for lead throughout your residence. You can feel at ease knowing that there are many ways to keep your family and household protected from lead toxicity should you believe there is a threat at home.
Mark’s Painting offers residential and commercial Painting for Tampa, Hillsborough, and Pinellas County. Exterior painting, including priming, sealing, plaster & drywall service, pressure washing. We paint interiors, including ceilings, walls, trim, baseboard, fireplaces, mantels, paneling, wainscoting, doors, and windows. We offer wallpaper removal, caulking, staining and varnishing, refinishing, texturing, specialty finishes, and more. We are licensed and insured. Call us at 813-295-7926
