issues with sanding old paints when doing home renovations
THE FACTS ABOUT LEAD POISONING Lead is practically everywhere in today's environment. It enters our bodies from many sources including defective glazes (pottery), drinking water, contaminated soil, airborne particulate, leaded gasoline, paint and several other sources. Symptoms of lead poisoning are stomach pains, constipation, diarrhea, aggressiveness, anxiousness, hyperactivity, muscle pain, weakness, weight loss, learning disabilities, convulsions and eventual death with chronic lead poisoning! Lead poisoning victims usually become anemic. This symptoms usually persist for about 2 weeks from time of exposure, then settle into the organs, bones and even hair! We still do not know the long term effects of lead exposure! These symptoms are sometimes overlooked by doctors and are not properly diagnosed as lead poisoning, since they are vague.


lead in existing paints
Paint and home renovations (Dirt and Dust) - In the 1970's and earlier, house paints contained as much as 50 per cent lead!!! Most household paints contained lead prior to 1979. Children should be watched in homes and day care centers to prevent their swallowing paint chips or chewing painted surfaces, including toys and older cribs. Test older cribs for lead based paints before purchasing or using as children may chew paint from the railings and ingest lead! Children should be kept away from sanding and paint removal (during renovations) in older houses, and adults should wear filter masks approved for use with toxic dusts. Burning off paint or using mechanical sanders boost your lead exposure. Paint chips and renovation dirt/dust can be checked for the presence of lead