What is the likelihood of lead contamination in my drinking water?
Since June,1986 the SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT required the use of lead-free pipe, solder and flux in the installation or repair of plumbing systems connected to public water systems. Prior to that time, most solder contained about 50% lead. The law gave states until 1988 to enforce the new limitations. However, there is evidence that some plumbers continued to use lead solder for some time.
According to the EPA, chances of lead in your drinking water are likely to be highest if: your home has faucets or fittings made of brass, or your home or water system has lead pipes, or your home has lead pipes, or copper pipes with lead solder, AND
o the home is less than 5 years old, or
o you have naturally soft water, or
o water often sits in the pipes for several hours.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Lead Testing
What’s the difference between lead-safe and lead-free?
A lead-free home or apartment has no lead (or lead hazards). A lead-safe home or apartment has no lead hazards, but it may still contain lead paint.
Are there inexpensive things I can do to protect my family?
Absolutely. Most of us grew up in areas that had earthquakes, tornadoes or hurricanes. We learned what to do to protect ourselves and “manage” the risk. Lead is no different. You can learn where to look for lead in your home and how to minimize the risk. A simple first step is to call 800-LEAD-FYI to order the pamphlet“Reduce Lead Hazards When Remodeling Your Home.”
A lead-free home or apartment has no lead (or lead hazards). A lead-safe home or apartment has no lead hazards, but it may still contain lead paint.
Are there inexpensive things I can do to protect my family?
Absolutely. Most of us grew up in areas that had earthquakes, tornadoes or hurricanes. We learned what to do to protect ourselves and “manage” the risk. Lead is no different. You can learn where to look for lead in your home and how to minimize the risk. A simple first step is to call 800-LEAD-FYI to order the pamphlet“Reduce Lead Hazards When Remodeling Your Home.”
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Lead Testing
Why is remodeling an older home considered such a big risk?
If proper precautions are not taken, remodeling or renovating an older home (pre-1978) can generate a very large amount of dust. Even small jobs done during routine maintenance — like painting — can generate lead dust.
Do many homes have lead-based paint hazards?
It is estimated that at least 19 million homes have lead-based paint hazards, of which at least 4 million have young children under age the age of six living in them. (HUD 1990; EPA 1995).
What do I have to do to comply with the Federal disclosure laws?
Each time a home or apartment built before 1978 (the year lead was banned in residential paint) is sold or rented, owners are required to give sellers or renters a copy of the EPA pamphlet Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home and disclose any known lead or lead hazards on the property. The pamphlet is free and can be ordered by calling 1-800-LEAD-FYI. Mobile homes are included.
If there’s lead in my home, do I have to remove it?
Usually, no. In most states there are no laws that require you to remove lead paint. (Check with state and local authorities to see if there are more stringent laws where you live.) But, you do have to contend with it. That is “manage it” using approved, lead safe work practices when performing maintenance or repairs.
If proper precautions are not taken, remodeling or renovating an older home (pre-1978) can generate a very large amount of dust. Even small jobs done during routine maintenance — like painting — can generate lead dust.
Do many homes have lead-based paint hazards?
It is estimated that at least 19 million homes have lead-based paint hazards, of which at least 4 million have young children under age the age of six living in them. (HUD 1990; EPA 1995).
What do I have to do to comply with the Federal disclosure laws?
Each time a home or apartment built before 1978 (the year lead was banned in residential paint) is sold or rented, owners are required to give sellers or renters a copy of the EPA pamphlet Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home and disclose any known lead or lead hazards on the property. The pamphlet is free and can be ordered by calling 1-800-LEAD-FYI. Mobile homes are included.
If there’s lead in my home, do I have to remove it?
Usually, no. In most states there are no laws that require you to remove lead paint. (Check with state and local authorities to see if there are more stringent laws where you live.) But, you do have to contend with it. That is “manage it” using approved, lead safe work practices when performing maintenance or repairs.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Lead Testing
How does lead affect the body?
| Children’s Reactions to Lead (micrograms per deci-liter) | |
| Blood Lead Level | Possible Health Effects |
| 10 ug/dL | Slight loss in IQ; hearing and growth problems |
| 20 ug/dL | Moderate loss in IQ; hyperactivity; poor attention span; difficulty learning; language and speech problems; slower reflexes |
| 40 ug dL | Poor bone and muscle development; clumsiness; lack of coordination; early anemia; fewer red blood cells to carry oxygen and iron; tiredness; drowsiness |
| 50 ug/dL | Stomach aches and cramps; anemia; destruction of red blood cells; brain damage |
| 100 ug/dL & above | Swelling of the brain; seizures; coma; death |
| Adult Reactions to Lead (micrograms per deci-liter) | |
| Blood Lead Level | Possible Health Effects |
| 15 ug/dL | Increase in blood pressure; harmful effects on fetus; joint and muscle aches |
| 25 ug/dL | Reproductive problems |
| 40 ug/dL | Kidney damage; damage to blood formation |
| 60 ug/dL | Anemia; nerve damage; constipation; stomach pains; irritability and fatigue; memory and concentration problems; clumsiness; drowsiness and sleep problems |
| 80 ug/dL & above | Blue line on gums; uncontrollable shaking of hands; wrist and foot drop; hallucinations; brain damage; coma; death |
| Source: ATSDR; California Health Dept 1993 | |
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Lead Testing
How much lead does it take to get lead poisoning?
The amount is incredibly small: 10 micrograms per deciliter of blood.
If you’re metrically challenged, here’s a way to visualize what that means.
o A deciliter is about 1/2 of a cup.
o A packet of sweetener (either the pink or blue stuff) is one gram.
o There are one million micrograms in a gram.
o So, divide the stuff from one packet into one million piles. (Pretend!)
o Now, discard 999,990 of those “piles.”
o Take the remaining 10 piles and mix them into half a cup of liquid.
Voila! You now have a representation of how much lead it takes to poison a child.
The amount is incredibly small: 10 micrograms per deciliter of blood.
If you’re metrically challenged, here’s a way to visualize what that means.
o A deciliter is about 1/2 of a cup.
o A packet of sweetener (either the pink or blue stuff) is one gram.
o There are one million micrograms in a gram.
o So, divide the stuff from one packet into one million piles. (Pretend!)
o Now, discard 999,990 of those “piles.”
o Take the remaining 10 piles and mix them into half a cup of liquid.
Voila! You now have a representation of how much lead it takes to poison a child.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Lead Testing
What causes Lead Poisoning?
In Children — Childhood lead poisoning is the number one environmental health risk for children today. In the United States, more than three million children age six and younger — that’s one out of six — already have toxic levels of lead in their bodies.
In Adults — Most adults are poisoned at work. There are laws that seek to prevent this, but many are not yet widely enforced. Any employee who may be exposed to lead in any amount, should have personal air sampling done.
How big is the problem?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, childhood lead poisoning is the number one environmental health risk facing children in industrialized countries today. In the United States, more than three million children age six and younger– that’s one out of every six children — already have toxic levels of lead in their bodies.
In Children — Childhood lead poisoning is the number one environmental health risk for children today. In the United States, more than three million children age six and younger — that’s one out of six — already have toxic levels of lead in their bodies.
In Adults — Most adults are poisoned at work. There are laws that seek to prevent this, but many are not yet widely enforced. Any employee who may be exposed to lead in any amount, should have personal air sampling done.
How big is the problem?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, childhood lead poisoning is the number one environmental health risk facing children in industrialized countries today. In the United States, more than three million children age six and younger– that’s one out of every six children — already have toxic levels of lead in their bodies.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Lead Testing
What is Lead Poisoning?
Lead is a powerful neurotoxin that interferes with the development and functioning of almost all body organs, particularly the kidneys, red blood cells, and central nervous system. In young children, lead retards the development of the central nervous system and brain.
Lead is a powerful neurotoxin that interferes with the development and functioning of almost all body organs, particularly the kidneys, red blood cells, and central nervous system. In young children, lead retards the development of the central nervous system and brain.
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