Protection Measures to Control Lead Paint Hazards
Lead is a heavy metal that is very poisonous and dangerous to human health. Even a limited amount of exposure to lead can be hazardous to our lives. But, since lead hazards are more common in older and substandard housing, lead poisoning is a real reflection of the affordable housing crisis. However, this was a thing of the past, still many housing projects don't adhere to the latest standards and guidelines set by our government and use lead-based paint while building homes. While there are some exceptions too! I am saying this because, during my house hunt, I’ve personally come across a green residential project- Green Lotus Avenue, that not only uses 100% lead-free paint but also encourages the practice of sustainable living
This project is also IGBC certified because it is built with the major focus on reducing project’s impact on the earth’s environment. With the maximum utilization of natural resources, this is the Tricity’s first ever green residential project in Zirakpur that uses only high quality and eco-friendly materials to not only protect the life of its residents but to protect the environment as well. Well, this is my thought to just give you an example of how some projects are really taking the initiative to contribute towards creating a healthy environment. Let’s quickly move on to the main topic and discuss the harmful effects of lead-based paint, some facts and measures to protect your family from lead-based paint.
How is Lead-Based Paint Dangerous?
1. Exposure to lead can harm infants and babies even before they are born.
2. When absorbed or swallowed, this highly toxic paint seriously hinders the neurological development.
3. Most harmful to the children under age six as lead gets easily absorbed into their growing bodies, thus interfering with the developing brain and other organs.
4. Even children who appear healthy may have a high level of lead present in their bodies.
5. At low levels of exposure, the symptoms may not be visible. So, the blood test is the only way, if a child is affected. But, if not identified early, lead causes stunted growth, hyperactivity, hearing loss, insomnia, reduced IQ and attention span, reading and learning disabilities and various other intellectual and behavioral issues.
6. At high levels of exposure, toxic lead can cause convulsions, coma, mental retardation and even death.
Which Protection Measures are Implemented by Various Federal Agencies?
1. Housing and Urban Development Lead Hazard Control Grant Program allows local and state agencies to contract for lead hazard control in low-income high-risk homes.
2. Environmental Protection Agency Lead-Based Paint Activities Certification and Accreditation Program governs the development of the capacity to perform inspections on lead-based paint, risk assessments, and abatement.
3. The U.S. EPA’s and HUD’s rule ensures that the builders or property owners must disclose information about lead-based paint and hazards to prospective buyers and renters.
4. HUD’s Lead Safe Housing Rule oversees how lead safety must be addressed in all federally assisted housing.
“Because lead-based paint is the most important source of lead exposure for young children, the first essential element of primary prevention is the implementation of strategies to control lead paint contaminated house dust and soil and poorly maintained lead paint in housing.” - Centers for Disease Control
This quote from CDC indicates that the children are especially susceptible to lead-based paint and lead exposure in children is found to be the greatest lead-based risk.
What Steps You Should Take to Protect your Family?
Over the last few years, the major focus has shifted from primary prevention to control and prevent lead hazards before anyone’s life or health is harmed. Some key elements for primary prevention of lead exposure are checking homes for hazards, which includes housing maintenance or elimination of existing problems to prevent hazards from arising. Here are few other ways that can help protect your family’s exposure to lead:
1. Use some simple strategies like water damage, moisture control, good ventilation, properly venting combustion appliances to avoid exposure to lead toxic. Such kind of improvements or changes contributes towards a healthy home.
2. As a prospective home buyer, you should receive the information from the property owner or builder about any potential health risks and if the lead-free or eco-friendly paint is used in the home.
3. If you’re remodeling or renovating a home with lead-based paint, you should take some precautions like temporarily moving your family out of the apartment or at least completely sealing off the work area.
4. To remove the lead paint safely, use the basic CWC technique- Control the dust, Work wet and Clean up thoroughly.
The significance of above regulatory methods is to spread the awareness in home buyers, owners and proprietors to use only 100% lead-free paint so that we can live in a safe and healthy environment inside and out.
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