| Lead based paint is not as common a concern as it | | | | which has a painted frame. The biggest concern with |
| once was in regards to purchasing a home. It should, | | | | lead based paint is actually the fact that it is can |
| however, still be considered when purchasing an older | | | | seep into the ground and contaminate both ground |
| home or purchasing a home in an area where older | | | | and water. |
| buildings have been demolished and new homes built | | | | This means something as simple as yard work or in |
| in their place. The biggest concern that comes with | | | | the case of children playing in the yard can become a |
| lead based paint is the fact that this type of | | | | health hazard and expose them to dangerous levels |
| substance actually reaches into the ground, and that | | | | of lead. Homes that were built before 1940 have |
| it remains there indefinitely. | | | | approximately a 70% chance of containing lead. For |
| This means that not only your potential home, but | | | | homes built between 1940 and 1960, you may have |
| also the area around it could be contaminated with | | | | a 50% chance of finding lead in the paint of your |
| lead. Lead poisoning can seriously affect the health of | | | | home or within the surrounding grounds. |
| both adults and children. It has been found to cause | | | | Homes built after 1960 may contain lead based paint |
| serious health problems. In fetuses it can cause brain | | | | but it was usually reserved for exterior surfaces and |
| damage it can also cause brain damage in young | | | | would work such as doors and windows. It was not |
| children result in a retardation of physical | | | | until the late 70s before there was a significant |
| development and can be responsible for some of the | | | | reduction in the acceptable levels of lead under the |
| symptoms of ADHD. | | | | Consumer Product Safety Commission. Therefore |
| Lead poisoning can also cause reproductive issues and | | | | any homes built before 1980 should be tested for |
| adults increase blood pressure, as well as cause poor | | | | lead as a precaution. |
| muscle coordination, nerve damage, and that the | | | | Home do-it-yourself kits are available. However these |
| overall mood of an individual such as to create | | | | have not been evaluated by the Consumer Product |
| irritability within people suffering from lead poisoning. | | | | Safety Commission. Because of the type of tests |
| It is almost impossible to detect lead poisoning | | | | that is used with these do-it-yourself kits there is a |
| without medical screening as the symptoms are | | | | potential for false positives. |
| often shared with common illnesses. Symptoms of | | | | Due to the high risk of false positives in lead |
| lead poisoning include tiredness, loss of appetite, | | | | poisoning tests it is essential when looking to |
| reduced attention span, insomnia, stomach discomfort | | | | purchase a home, which may contain lead based paint |
| and constipation. | | | | that a professional test with a licensed technician be |
| The majority of lead poisoning comes from the | | | | considered prior to the purchase of a home. It may |
| ingestion of lead paint however, it can also be inhaled, | | | | also be advisable to send samples of the paint from |
| such as through lead dust. The dust can be created | | | | your home, as well as the surrounding area to a lab |
| from paint chips and it can be created from | | | | to properly test for contaminants. |
| something as small as opening and closing a window, | | | | |