~Lead~

Lead has been very important for the economic growth of the United States. From its very beginnings of extended use in the United States in the early 1920s, when oil companies began to put it into gasoline, lead caused problems for people. Even though lead was believed to have caused severe problems, lead usage in gasoline remained untouched until the 1970s, when the Environmental Protection Agency began to get lead out of gasoline.

Lead is a toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes. Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. The federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978. Some states stopped its use even earlier.

Where is lead found?

• Paint could contain lead In homes in the city, country, or suburbs. In apartments, single-family homes, and both private and public housing.  Inside and outside of the house.

• 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, and children playing in yards can ingest or inhale lead dust.

• Household dust. Dust can pick up lead from deteriorating lead-based paint or from soil tracked into a home.

• Drinking water. Your home might have plumbing with lead or lead solder. Call your local health department or water supplier to find out about testing your water. You cannot see, smell or taste lead, and boiling your water will not get rid of lead.

• The job. If you work with lead, you could bring it home on your hands or clothes. Shower and change clothes before coming home. Launder your work clothes separately from the rest of your family's clothes.

• Old painted toys and furniture.

• Food and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain. Food can become contaminated because lead can leach in from these containers.

• Lead smelters or other industries that release lead into the air.

• Hobbies that use lead, such as making pottery, stained glass, making fishing gear, bullet reloading and refinishing furniture.

• Folk remedies that contain lead, such as "greta" and "azarcon" used to treat an upset stomach.

Generally, lead-based paint in good condition is not hazardous. Lead paint on impact or friction surfaces can create lead dust, which is the #1 source of lead poisoning for young children. Impact or friction surfaces are those that, through contact and/or rubbing, release lead dust into the air to be inhaled or ingested. For example, opening and shutting windows and doors that are painted with lead-based paint creates lead dust. Lead dust is especially dangerous because it can be very difficult to see.
Lead-based paint that begins to peel or flake can also create a hazardous situation because these chips settle on floors, furniture, toys, and clothes waiting to be touched picked up by hands.