Even though there had been warnings about the possible dangers of lead paint as early as the 1900s, both federal and state officials still routinely recommended its use. When a 1949 study pointed out the health hazards it posed to young children, there was a strong backlash, and a real ban did not occur for nearly 30 years afterward. Pre-1978 lead paint remains in many buildings, and still has the potential to cause harm.
While many oil-based paints incorporated this substance in the past, they are not the only source. Some consumer products such as batteries and certain cosmetics, solder, and even the by-products of many industrial processes all contributed to the prevalence of environmental lead. The toxic pigments were highly favored by professional painters due to superior durability, less peeling and flaking when exposed to weather, and water resistance.
It is still preferred by some artists, and is commonly used in the ship building industry, which requires substances that can effectively coat hulls while inhibiting corrosion. The colors it produces have traditionally been superior, although many water-based compounds today have become comparably vivid. Enamels containing this ingredient are still widely sold in many countries, and there have been highly publicized cases involving contaminated imports.
More than forty years after being banned, contaminated paint still remains in almost three-quarters of all homes built prior to the seventies. Because adults understand the inherent dangers, personal exposure can usually be controlled or minimized. The most vulnerable group is children. Their bodies are small and growing, allowing the toxin to quickly produce adverse effects. Even small amounts over long periods can be damaging.
After breathing contaminated dust or ingesting peeling flakes, the toxin is stored in calcium-rich skeletal bones. Barely-measurable levels are enough to precipitate serious reactions. Some of the early symptoms include unusual fatigue, poor appetite, muscle or abdominal pain with vomiting, and often constipation. Adults retain around ten percent of ingested lead in their bones, but children typically absorb about fifty percent.
The most insidious effects may be hard to pinpoint in the beginning. A child is still developing mentally and physically, and this type of poisoning can contribute to learning disabilities, behavioral problems, stunted growth, or kidney problems. Because these symptoms are shared by other serious ailments, by the time the source of trouble has been identified and removed the damage has already been done.
Even though less vulnerable, an exposed adult can suffer kidney problems or severe hypertension. The bodies of pregnant women allow the substance to pass through the placental barrier, and premature birth or poor fetal development may result. It affects breast milk, and long-term exposure can cause fertility problems that prove difficult to surmount. The most realistic way to limit access is by removing the source.
People in San Diego, CA who feel their residence may be at risk can arrange for a licensed inspection. If a landlord does not respond to this request in a timely fashion, home testing kits can be purchased at hardware stores. A complete check includes interiors, common areas and nearby exteriors. The well-documented negative results of long-term exposure are too serious to be ignored.
While many oil-based paints incorporated this substance in the past, they are not the only source. Some consumer products such as batteries and certain cosmetics, solder, and even the by-products of many industrial processes all contributed to the prevalence of environmental lead. The toxic pigments were highly favored by professional painters due to superior durability, less peeling and flaking when exposed to weather, and water resistance.
It is still preferred by some artists, and is commonly used in the ship building industry, which requires substances that can effectively coat hulls while inhibiting corrosion. The colors it produces have traditionally been superior, although many water-based compounds today have become comparably vivid. Enamels containing this ingredient are still widely sold in many countries, and there have been highly publicized cases involving contaminated imports.
More than forty years after being banned, contaminated paint still remains in almost three-quarters of all homes built prior to the seventies. Because adults understand the inherent dangers, personal exposure can usually be controlled or minimized. The most vulnerable group is children. Their bodies are small and growing, allowing the toxin to quickly produce adverse effects. Even small amounts over long periods can be damaging.
After breathing contaminated dust or ingesting peeling flakes, the toxin is stored in calcium-rich skeletal bones. Barely-measurable levels are enough to precipitate serious reactions. Some of the early symptoms include unusual fatigue, poor appetite, muscle or abdominal pain with vomiting, and often constipation. Adults retain around ten percent of ingested lead in their bones, but children typically absorb about fifty percent.
The most insidious effects may be hard to pinpoint in the beginning. A child is still developing mentally and physically, and this type of poisoning can contribute to learning disabilities, behavioral problems, stunted growth, or kidney problems. Because these symptoms are shared by other serious ailments, by the time the source of trouble has been identified and removed the damage has already been done.
Even though less vulnerable, an exposed adult can suffer kidney problems or severe hypertension. The bodies of pregnant women allow the substance to pass through the placental barrier, and premature birth or poor fetal development may result. It affects breast milk, and long-term exposure can cause fertility problems that prove difficult to surmount. The most realistic way to limit access is by removing the source.
People in San Diego, CA who feel their residence may be at risk can arrange for a licensed inspection. If a landlord does not respond to this request in a timely fashion, home testing kits can be purchased at hardware stores. A complete check includes interiors, common areas and nearby exteriors. The well-documented negative results of long-term exposure are too serious to be ignored.
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