In homes and in the environment, lead is a common substance.People are exposed to lead every day through their paint, pipes, products, and even dirt and dust.Damage to the kidneys, seizures, weakened brain activity, and rarely death can be caused by elevated levels of lead in the blood.Children under six years of age and low-income families are more likely to be affected by lead poisoning.It is easier to prevent lead poisoning than it is to reverse its effects, so care should always be taken to avoid excessive exposure to lead.
Step 1: Determine when your home was built.
If your home was built before 1978, you need to take extra precautions.Lead can be found in paint and pipes in older homes.You can find out when your home was built by looking at the ownership records.Your home's title policy, title search, and purchase appraisal should all have the year the house was built on it.The recorder's office in your county should have a deed and records for your property on file if you don't have ownership documents.Let the records clerk know that you want a copy of the deed.Can you help me?
Step 2: Make sure you check for lead paint.
It is not an immediate health risk for lead paint to not be chipping or cracking.Even small amounts of lead can cause health problems.If there is any lead-based paint on any of the surfaces in your home, an inspection is necessary.You can schedule an inspection by contacting a local firm.The EPA has a locational tool that US residents can use.All interior and exterior painted surfaces will be inspected by the inspector.If lead is present, samples may be tested on site or in a certified lab.If lead paint is found in your home, you will need to call a team to remove the paint and clear the house.Tarps or other coverings should be used to cover the lead-painted areas.
Step 3: Inquire about lead pipes.
The service line that brings water into your home may have lead pipes.To check to see if you have lead pipes, first locate your water meter, which may be inside or outside of your house.The water meter is most likely in the basement, crawl space, or garage.If it is outside of your house, it's probably on the sidewalk or in your yard with a cover that says "water meter."You should see where your pipe enters your home.Inside your home, the pipe should connect to a shut-off valve that looks like a lever or a small wheel.Use a magnet to check the pipe.It is most likely steel if a magnet sticks to it.It is most likely lead if a magnet won't stick to it.If you suspect you have lead pipes, contact an inspection and abatement team immediately to verify your findings and discuss replacement options.
Step 4: You should check with your landlord.
If you rent a home where you are concerned about lead, you can request a copy of a current lead risk reduction inspection from your landlord.You should be able to file a petition with your county if your landlord doesn't have one.In many states landlords are required to perform risk reduction activities if lead is found, which may include removing paint and updating pipes.These processes come at no cost to the renter, and are within your legal right to require from your landlord.
Step 5: You should wash your hands frequently.
Hand-to-mouth transferring of soils or dust that may contain lead can be prevented by washing your hands regularly.Before putting your hands in your mouth, wash them with soap and water.Encourage your children to wash their hands after playing outside.Children should not be allowed to play in ground soil.Provide them with gloves if they want to do activities like gardening.
Step 6: The tap water should be cold.
If you have an older home, use cold tap water whenever you go to get water.When preparing infant formula and cooking, use cold tap water.Lead can be absorbed into the water when it is warm.If warm tap water is needed in a home with old plumbing, run cold water from the faucet for 2 minutes.
Step 7: There are clean areas.
Clean surfaces that are prone to getting dusty to keep trace amounts of lead out of the dust.To get furniture, tables, TV stands, window sills, and anything else that may need dusting, use a wet mop and damp cloth.If you know of a lead risk in your home, it's a good idea to wear a mask while dusting.These are available at home improvement stores.
Step 8: Purchase lead-free products.
US law requires certain items to be lead-free.Many items used in and around the home and office may have lead in them.Purchase lead-free products whenever possible.There are lead-free labels.There are different marks for different certification groups.There are lead-free markings and text requirements.The labels on cookware, utensils and food storage supplies could lead to food poisoning.If the lead-free label is intact, don't buy these items second-hand.If a toy is shown to be contaminated with lead, it's a good idea to dispose of it.
Step 9: When people enter your home, be sure to ask them to remove their shoes.
It is possible that the dirt that people track into your home has lead in it.Ask everyone in your household and anyone who comes to your house to leave their shoes by the door.You could provide a mat for people to put their shoes on.
Step 10: A healthy diet is maintained.
Lead absorption can be reduced by proper nutrition from regular meals.Ensuring that you and your family get the daily recommended amount of iron and calcium is important.The recommended amount of calcium for children is 200 for the first six months, 260 for a year, 700 for three years, and 1,000 for eight years.Between the ages of 19 and 51, there is a recommended amount of calcium for adults.For children, the recommended amount of iron is 0.27mg up to six months of age, 11mg for seven to twelve months, 7 for children age one to three, and 10 for ages four to eight.The recommended amount of iron for men and women is 8 and 18 grams, respectively, for ages 19 to 50.Women who are pregnant need 27mg of iron a day.
Step 11: There are symptoms of lead poisoning.
If you think you or someone you know has been exposed to lead, look for symptoms of lead poisoning.Learning difficulties and slowed growth may be present in infants.Symptoms include memory loss in children and adults.There are mood disorders.There are delays in mental function.Constipation.Vomiting.High blood pressure.There is pain in the muscles.There is fatigue.There are headaches.There is a loss of appetite.
Step 12: You can get a blood test.
A doctor will give you a blood test if you think you have lead poisoning.The test uses a blood sample to check for lead in the body.Children over the age of six years are not typically given a test unless they request it.If you think you or others in your home have been exposed to lead, you should have a blood test.
Step 13: Lead poisoning can be treated.
Proper treatment for lead poisoning can be recommended by your doctor.Low levels of lead in the blood can be reduced by avoiding exposure.If you have higher levels of lead in the blood, you may be prescribed a therapy.During a hospital stay, quenching therapy involves taking a medication prescribed by your doctor.The medication causes you to excrete lead during urination.It is appropriate for both children and adults.Some children with lead levels greater than 45 mcg/dL of blood can be treated with EDTA therapy.It is a form of therapy in which a chemical is injected into the body to extract lead.
Step 14: The source of the lead should be removed.
If you or someone in your house is diagnosed with lead poisoning, you should immediately contact a specialist to remove or mitigate the lead source.After lead poisoning treatment, lead levels in the body need to be kept low.Depending on the situation, a specialist may recommend removal or covering of the lead.It is more practical to cover uncracked or undamaged lead paint with a thick coat of new paint, rather than peeling it away.