Even though there had been warnings about the possible dangers of lead paint as early as the 1900s, both federal and state officials still routinely recommended its use. When a 1949 study pointed out the health hazards it posed to young children, there was a strong backlash, and a real ban did not occur for nearly 30 years afterward. Pre-1978 lead paint remains in many buildings, and still has the potential to cause harm.
Although oil-based paints can benefit from adding this ingredient, other products such as batteries and cosmetics, solder, and even some industrial processes have also contributed to the prevalence of toxic residue. Leaded oil-based pigments were favored by house painters because they increased durability, inhibited peeling from wood surfaces exposed to all kinds of weather, and were exceptionally water-resistant.
Many artists still prefer it for their work, and the ship-building industry still applies it to metal hulls to prevent corrosion. It has always produced colors that are exceptionally pure and vivid, and after years of research water-based pigments are catching up. Many countries still produce enamels containing this element, and there have been widely publicized cases involving imports containing the substance.
More than forty years after being banned, contaminated paint still remains in almost three-quarters of all homes built prior to the seventies. Because adults understand the inherent dangers, personal exposure can usually be controlled or minimized. The most vulnerable group is children. Their bodies are small and growing, allowing the toxin to quickly produce adverse effects. Even small amounts over long periods can be damaging.
After breathing contaminated dust or ingesting peeling flakes, the toxin is stored in calcium-rich skeletal bones. Barely-measurable levels are enough to precipitate serious reactions. Some of the early symptoms include unusual fatigue, poor appetite, muscle or abdominal pain with vomiting, and often constipation. Adults retain around ten percent of ingested lead in their bones, but children typically absorb about fifty percent.
The most insidious effects may be hard to pinpoint in the beginning. A child is still developing mentally and physically, and this type of poisoning can contribute to learning disabilities, behavioral problems, stunted growth, or kidney problems. Because these symptoms are shared by other serious ailments, by the time the source of trouble has been identified and removed the damage has already been done.
Even though less vulnerable, an exposed adult can suffer kidney problems or severe hypertension. The bodies of pregnant women allow the substance to pass through the placental barrier, and premature birth or poor fetal development may result. It affects breast milk, and long-term exposure can cause fertility problems that prove difficult to surmount. The most realistic way to limit access is by removing the source.
Residents of San Diego, CA concerned about potential hazards in their homes should contact a licensed inspector. Landlords generally respond to these requests, but if that does not happen, testing kits are available at home supply stores. A thorough inspection takes about three or four hours, and should include common areas and exteriors. The health consequences associated with this substance are too serious to ignore.
Although oil-based paints can benefit from adding this ingredient, other products such as batteries and cosmetics, solder, and even some industrial processes have also contributed to the prevalence of toxic residue. Leaded oil-based pigments were favored by house painters because they increased durability, inhibited peeling from wood surfaces exposed to all kinds of weather, and were exceptionally water-resistant.
Many artists still prefer it for their work, and the ship-building industry still applies it to metal hulls to prevent corrosion. It has always produced colors that are exceptionally pure and vivid, and after years of research water-based pigments are catching up. Many countries still produce enamels containing this element, and there have been widely publicized cases involving imports containing the substance.
More than forty years after being banned, contaminated paint still remains in almost three-quarters of all homes built prior to the seventies. Because adults understand the inherent dangers, personal exposure can usually be controlled or minimized. The most vulnerable group is children. Their bodies are small and growing, allowing the toxin to quickly produce adverse effects. Even small amounts over long periods can be damaging.
After breathing contaminated dust or ingesting peeling flakes, the toxin is stored in calcium-rich skeletal bones. Barely-measurable levels are enough to precipitate serious reactions. Some of the early symptoms include unusual fatigue, poor appetite, muscle or abdominal pain with vomiting, and often constipation. Adults retain around ten percent of ingested lead in their bones, but children typically absorb about fifty percent.
The most insidious effects may be hard to pinpoint in the beginning. A child is still developing mentally and physically, and this type of poisoning can contribute to learning disabilities, behavioral problems, stunted growth, or kidney problems. Because these symptoms are shared by other serious ailments, by the time the source of trouble has been identified and removed the damage has already been done.
Even though less vulnerable, an exposed adult can suffer kidney problems or severe hypertension. The bodies of pregnant women allow the substance to pass through the placental barrier, and premature birth or poor fetal development may result. It affects breast milk, and long-term exposure can cause fertility problems that prove difficult to surmount. The most realistic way to limit access is by removing the source.
Residents of San Diego, CA concerned about potential hazards in their homes should contact a licensed inspector. Landlords generally respond to these requests, but if that does not happen, testing kits are available at home supply stores. A thorough inspection takes about three or four hours, and should include common areas and exteriors. The health consequences associated with this substance are too serious to ignore.
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