What is Lead-Based Paint

Lead-based paint was banned in the United States for residential use on January 1st, 1978.  Sadly, the adverse health effects of lead were well known almost 80 years prior to the date it was Lead Renovator Refresherbanned in 1978.  Because the Consumer Products Safety Commission didn’t ban the sale of lead based paint until 1978.  You may find lead in paint for homes built after 1978.  Solid best practices include testing for lead in paint for any house built prior to 1985.

Lead-based paint is any paint or surface coatings that contain lead equal to or in excess of 1.0 milligram per square centimeter or more than .5 percent by weight.  Lead was added to paint because it enhanced the paints color and durability.  Lead was also added to other surface coatings including varnishes and stains.  Unfortunately, paint with concentrations of lead lower than the definition above can still cause health problems.  Small amounts of lead in paint can account for a lot of lead in airborne or settled dust.  Lead particles that are released within a building space are very fine and difficult to detect.  Leaded dust can poison children, adults, pregnant women, and pets!

Children are at a greater risk to be poisoned.  Adults only absorb about ten percent of the lead they ingest or breath.  Children absorb up to 50% of the lead that they ingest or breath.  Adults are usually most at risk when performing renovations in their own, or a friends home.  Going to work for a firm that isn’t Certified through the EPA could be a recipie for exposure at work.  What is even more heart wrenching is that firms that aren’t certified usually end up poisoning the families of there customers and employees.   Children ingest lead dust usually via their hands via transfer from dust they acquire on them while playing.

Lead is a cumulative poison and a lot studies suggest that the damage caused from lead is irreversible.  If you or anyone you know lives in a house built prior to 1978, works in houses built prior to 1978, or work on child care facilities or apartment buildings built prior to 1978?  Please tell them to visit the Environmental Protection Agencies website at www.epa.gov/lead.

We are always available to answer your questions about your upcoming lead based paint renovations.  Please feel free to contact us directly by dialing 877-209-9648 or email sales@pasafety.com.