Brazos Life

  • Brazos Life
    • Read the Magazine
    • Brazos Life Articles
    • Previous Issues
    • Community Calendar
    • About Brazos Life
    • Advertising
    • Contact
  • Best of The Brazos
    • Previous Issues
    • About BoBV
    • Advertising
    • Contact
  • Bride
    • Vendor Profiles
    • Real Weddings
    • Model for Us
    • Ask The Bride
    • Styled Shoots
    • Previous Issues
    • About Bride
    • Advertising
    • Contact
  • Family
    • Previous Issues
    • About Family
    • Advertising
    • Contact
  • Wellness
    • Previous Issues
    • Wellness Radio
    • About Wellness
    • Advertising
    • Contact
  • Welcome Home
    • Previous Issues
    • About Home
    • Advertising
    • Contact
  • Peace

January 9, 2021

Should You Be Concerned About Lead-Based Paint In Your Home?

Should You Be Concerned About
Lead-Based Paint In Your Home?
Article by | Jen Zwieacker, Zwieacker & Associates

Frequently found in homes constructed before 1978, lead-based paint is toxic to humans and animals. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, lead from lead-based paint is one of the most common causes of lead poisoning.

Lead’s Effects On Human Beings

Ingesting lead is particularly dangerous to children. Children’s growing bodies absorb more lead. Under the age of 6, children‘s brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to lead’s damaging effects. Even low lead exposure levels can cause nervous system and kidney damage, decreased muscle and bone growth, and language or behavioral problems.

In adults, lead can cause an increased chance of illness during pregnancy, harm to a fetus (including brain damage or death), fertility problems (men and women), high blood pressure, digestive problems, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems, and muscle and joint pain.

Don’t Panic

While the EPA estimates 87% of homes built before 1940 contain lead-based paint, only 24% of homes built between 1960 and 1977 contain the toxic substance. The United States banned use of lead-containing paint in consumer settings in 1978.

Lead-based paint is usually not a hazard if it’s in good condition and not on an impactor friction surface, like a window. Deteriorating lead-based paint is especially hazardous when found on surfaces that children and pets can chew. Peeling, chipping, chalking, cracking or damaged lead-based paint surfaces should be addressed immediately. This is especially important since lead can be inhaled and ingested from dust.

Lead may also be found in soil around a home. Soil can pick up lead from exterior paint or other sources such as past use of leaded gas in cars. Lead in soil may be a hazard when children play in soil, eat food from gardens near older homes, or even bring soil into the house on their shoes.

Testing Your Home

You can have your home tested for lead by hiring a trained and certified professional to do an inspection, which will tell you whether your home has lead-based paint, where it is located and what actions to take to address any hazards.

There are federal programs in place to ensure that testing is done safely, reliably and effectively. Contact our RegionalEPA Office at 800-887-6063 for additional information and a list of contacts in this area.

To temporarily reduce lead hazards at your home, start by repairing damaged painted surfaces and planting grass to cover the soil with high lead levels. These are not permanent solutions and will require ongoing attention but are a solid start to addressing the issue.

To permanently remove lead hazards, we recommend hiring a certified lead abatement contractor. Abatement methods include removing, sealing or enclosing lead-based paint with special materials. You’ll want to move your family from the home during this process to prevent anyone from inhaling or ingesting any toxic lead dust or fumes.

Testing Your Children

Consult your doctor for advice on testing your children. A simple blood test can detect high levels of lead. Blood tests are usually recommended for children at ages one and two and children or other family members who may have been exposed to lead.

More Information

The National Lead Information Center website (http://www.epa.gov/lead/nlic.html) has more information regarding lead hazards. Call 800-424-LEAD(5323) for more information.

 

Filed Under: Brazos Family, Brazos Life, Featured Tagged With: 1978, article, based, brazos, bryan, college station, County, estate, home, house, lead, local, paint, real, valley, zwieacker

Event Calendar Brought to You By:
View Full Calendar

brazoslife

Brazos Life
Check it out fam! @tamu president Michael K. Young Check it out fam! @tamu president Michael K. Young announced his retirement today. We're thankful he will remain in Aggieland inspiring minds hungry to learn.

Best wishes Mr. President! 
-Brazos Life Team 

#tamu #aggieland #bryantx #bryancollegestation #bcs #brazoslife #brazos #brazosvalleystrong #brazosvalley #collegestationtx #collegestation #aggies #aggielandstrong #texas #texaseducation #collegestationtexas #farmersfight #hullabaloo
EYE SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE something delicious com EYE SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE something delicious coming to Welborn Rd. 

For those of you that didn't know, now you do. @dunkin is coming to CStat. Which means you've got a date with a donut in the fall ❤ 

Which business do you want to see open in the Brazos Valley next? Let us know in the comments!

Stay caffeinated friends,
-Brazos Life Team 🕶

#aggieland #collegestation #collegestationtx #bryantx #bryancollegestation #bcs #brazoslife #bcsfoodie #brazosvalley #dunkindonuts #coffee #donuts #tamu #aggies #texas #farmersfight
PSA FOR PIZZA LOVERS Hot deal coming your way: @h PSA FOR PIZZA LOVERS

Hot deal coming your way:
@howdyspizza is offering up this 30 Hour Family Deal - ANY 2 Large Pizzas + Family House Salad For Just $24.95!

Go grab this killer deal before it's too late!

You're welcome,
-Brazos Life Team

#bcs #bcstx #aggieland #brazoslife #brazosvalley #bcsfood #eatlocal #aggielandstrong #collegestation #bryantx #texasstrong #collegestationtx #bryancollegestation #pizza #howdyspizza #howdys #grilldpizza #texasfood #elote
#blackouttuesday #blackouttuesday
FREE COOKIES AT BLUE BAKER TODAY!! Come out and ce FREE COOKIES AT BLUE BAKER TODAY!! Come out and celebrate  @bluebakerofficial 's 19th birthday! 
Stay delicious friends,
Brazos Life Team

#quarantine #texasrestaurant #aggieland #bryantx #bryancollegestation #bcs #brazoslife #bcsfoodie #collegestationtx #collegestation #tamu #brazos #texasfood #freefood #cookie #bluebaker #brazosvalley
#BTHOCoronavirus #bcsdeals
Graduating? Uncertain about what the future holds Graduating? Uncertain about what the future holds in these crazy times? Check out this post by financial advisor @anthonyoneal ! These tips will set you up for the most success as you attempt to join the working-world post graduation.

Congrats grads,
-Brazos Life Team

#graduation #aggieland #tamu #bryancollegestation #collegestationtx #collegestation #bryantx #texasstrong #aggie #brazosvalley #brazoslife #covid19 #stayathome #workfromhome #unemployed #unemployment #coronavirus #grads #workforce #economy #daveramsey 
Used by permission from our radio partner @daveramsey
Follow on Instagram

Helpful Resources

  • City of Bryan
  • City of College Station
  • Texas A&M University
  • Blinn College
  • Radio Aggieland

Connect with Brazos Life

  • Read Brazos Life
  • About
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Bryan Broadcasting

Brazos Life and BrazosLife.com are products of
Bryan Broadcasting Corporation ©