Take Precautions for Lead Base Paint

Take Precautions for Lead Base Paint.

Winter Park and Fraser Colorado started building condos for ski rentals back in the early 1960’s and 1970’s. Many of these units are still very popular rentals, homes or second homes for owners or guests. When ever a unit built before 1978 is sold there are Lead Base Paint Disclosure forms that are required by Federal Law for Realtors to provide to the new buyers. In most situations these units have been remodeled over the years and have been painted a few times. So the likely hood of direct exposure is minimal, but it is a potential hazard that buyers need to be aware of.

Many homes built before 1978 contain lead-based paint. Lead is both a highly toxic metal and, in the past, component of many products found in and around our homes, including paint, water pipes and gasoline. In fact, old lead based paint is the most significant source of lead exposure in the US today. According to the EPA, most homes built before 1960 contain heavily-leaded paint. Over 80% of all homes built in the US before 1978 contain at least some lead-based paint on the interior or exterior.

Lead-based paint is not usually a hazard if it remains in good condition. But if the paint has deteriorated over the years, or you’re attempting to remove this paint without proper precautions, you can unwittingly expose yourself to serious health hazards. Just what type of health hazards are we talking about? The consequences of lead exposure range from serious to life-threatening for people and pets. Lead affects practically all systems within the body, and at high levels it can cause convulsions, coma, and even death. Lower levels of lead can adversely affect the brain, central nervous system, blood cells, and kidneys. The effects of lead exposure on the unborn and young children is especially severe, and can include delays in physical and mental development, lower IQ levels, shortened attention spans, and behavioral problems.

Airborne lead enters our bodies when we breathe or swallow lead particles. Thus, harmful exposure to lead can be created when lead-based paint is improperly removed from surfaces by dry scraping, sanding, or open-flame burning. These actions create lead dust. Removing lead improperly can increase the hazard by spreading even more lead dust around the house. Lead paint in good condition is usually not a problem except in places where painted surfaces rub against each other and create dust.

Beginning in April 2010, Federal Law will require that contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

Anyone living in a home or condo that is built before 1978 should contact the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 1-800-424-5323 or visit their website (epa.gov) for more detailed information about lead in and around your home.

(The above information was provided by Tiger Home Inspections.)