Dangers of Painting Over Peeling, Chipping or Cracking Lead Based Paint in Oxnard, CA
Homes that were built before 1978 often used lead-based paint and is the way many people were exposed to lead. It was in 1978 that the Federal Government banned its use in residential structures and federal regulations require homeowners to provide lead disclosures when they are selling their home if it was built before that year.
Long Term Effects of Lead Poisoning
The reason disclosures are required is because lead can be a potential health risk. The extent of the health risk will depend in the amount of lead that one is exposed to. These risks can include headaches, high blood pressure, slowed growth, pregnancy difficulties, digestive problems, muscle and joint pain and damage to the brain and nervous system. These health risks can affect anyone in the family, but children are more likely to have issues. More so for smaller children because they put everything in their mouths and paint chips can contain lead.
Lead Paint Disclosure
• Anyone selling their home needs to disclose, in writing, if they know about lead paint and test results need to be shared if they were performed.
• Buyers have up to 10 days to check for lead. While they don’t have to test for it, they have to be given the opportunity to do it.
• Real estate agents and sellers bust provide a copy of the EPA publication “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home”.
• Landlords also need to provide this information to their tenants for buildings built before 1978.
How Do You Get Lead Poisoning from Paint?
Lead paint is unlikely to cause any health problems if it’s intact but there may be health risks if the paint is peeling, chipping or cracking. Areas that experience a lot of wear and tear can be problematic. These areas include banisters, stair railings, window sills, door frames, porches and fences. These areas can expose layers of paint underneath that may have lead in them. Lead paint that is sanded of scraped can produce lead dust. Lead can also be found in the soil outside your home if exterior lead paint flakes and/or chips and can then be tracked into the home.
How to Prevent Lead Pollution in the Environment
• Clean paint chips up
• Clean painted surfaces once a week and rinse tools thoroughly
• Try and prevent children from chewing on painted surfaces
• Have your children wash their hands often
You can temporarily reduce lead hazards by fixing any painted surfaces that are damaged and plant new grass to cover soil that may have high levels of lead. It’s also a good idea to eat nutritious meals that are high in iron and calcium because healthy diets absorb less lead. if you live in a home built before 1978 and are planning to remodel or renovate, you will need to follow EPA guidelines. Lead paint removal needs to be done by a certified lead abatement contractor to remove the lead paint and seal it with special materials.
Professional Painting Services & More in Ventura, Ojai, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills & Santa Barbara California
You can still live in and love a home with lead paint, you just need to know what to look for and how to deal with it. Contact McKay’s Painting to answer any question about lead-based paint.
