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Simple Steps To Protect Your Family From Lead
Hazards
If you think your home has high levels of lead:
- Get your young children tested for lead,
even if they seem healthy.
- Wash children's hands, bottles, pacifiers,
and toys often.
- Make sure children eat healthy, low-fat
foods.
- Get your home checked for lead hazards.
- Regularly clean floors, window sills, and
other surfaces.
- Wipe soil off shoes before entering house.
- Talk to your landlord about fixing surfaces
with peeling or chipping paint.
- Take precautions to avoid exposure to lead
dust when remodeling or renovating (call
1-800-424-LEAD for guidelines).
- Don't use a belt-sander, propane torch, dry
scraper, or dry sandpaper on painted surfaces
that may contain lead.
- Don't try to remove lead-based paint
yourself.
ARE YOU PLANNING TO BUY, RENT, OR RENOVATE A
HOME BUILT BEFORE 1978?
Many houses and apartments built before 1978 have
paint that contains lead (called lead-based
paint). Lead from paint, chips, and dust can pose
serious health hazards if not taken care of
properly. By 1996, federal law will require that
individuals receive certain information before
renting, buying, or renovating pre-1978 housing:
LANDLORDS will have to disclose known
information on lead-based paint hazards before
leases take effect. Leases will include a federal
form about lead-based paint.
SELLERS will have to disclose known
information on lead-based paint hazards before
selling a house. Sales contracts will include a
federal form about lead-based paint in the
building. Buyers will have up to 10 days to check
for lead hazards.
RENOVATORS will have to give you this
pamphlet before starting work.
If you want more information on these
requirements, call the National Lead Information
Clearinghouse at 1-800-424-LEAD.
IMPORTANT!
Lead From Paint, Dust, and Soil Can Be Dangerous
If Not Managed Properly.
FACT: Lead exposure can harm young children
and babies even before they are born.
FACT: Even children that seem healthy can
have high levels of lead in their bodies.
FACT: People can get lead in their bodies
by breathing or swallowing lead dust, or by eating
soil or paint chips with lead in them.
FACT: People have many options for reducing
lead hazards. In most cases, lead-based paint that
is in good condition is not a hazard.
FACT: Removing lead-based paint improperly
can increase the danger to your family.
If you think your home might have lead hazards,
read this pamphlet to learn some simple steps to
protect your family.
LEAD GETS IN THE BODY IN MANY WAYS 1 out of
every 11 children in the United States has
dangerous levels of lead in the bloodstream.
Even children who appear healthy can have
dangerous levels of lead.
People can get lead in their body if they:
- Put their hands or other objects covered
with lead dust in their mouths.
- Eat paint chips or soil that contain lead.
- Breathe in lead dust (especially during
renovations that disturb painted surfaces).
Lead is even more dangerous to children than
adults because:
- Babies and young children often put their
hands and other objects in their mouths. These
objects can have lead dust on them.
- Children's growing bodies absorb more lead.
- Children's brains and nervous systems are
more sensitive to the damaging effects of
lead.
Lead's Effects
If not detected early, children with high levels
of lead in their bodies can suffer from:
- Damage to the brain and nervous system
- Behavior and learning problems (such as
hyperactivity)
- Slowed growth
- Hearing problems
- Headaches
Lead is also harmful to adults. Adults can suffer
from:
- Difficulties during pregnancy
- Other reproductive problems (in both men and
women)
- High blood pressure
- Digestive problems
- Nerve disorders
- Memory and concentration problems
- Muscle and joint pain
Lead affects the body in many ways.
CHECKING YOUR FAMILY FOR LEAD Get your
children tested if you think your home has
high levels of lead.
A simple blood test can detect high levels of
lead. Blood tests are important for:
- Children who are 6 months to 1 year old
(6 months if you live in an older home
that might have lead in the paint).
- Family members that you think might have
high levels of lead.
If your child is older than 1 year, talk to
your doctor about whether your child needs
testing.
Your doctor or health center can do blood
tests. They are inexpensive and sometimes
free. Your doctor will explain what the test
results mean. Treatment can range from changes
in your diet to medication or a hospital stay.
WHERE LEAD-BASED PAINT IS FOUND
In general, the older your home, the more
likely it has lead-based paint.
Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based
paint. In 1978, the federal government banned
lead-based paint from housing. Lead can be
found:
- 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.)
WHERE LEAD IS LIKELY TO BE A HAZARD
Lead from paint chips, which you can see, and
lead dust, which you can't always see, can
both be serious hazards.
Lead-based paint that is in good condition is
usually not a hazard.
Peeling, chipping, chalking, or cracking
lead-based paint is a hazard and needs
immediate attention.
Lead-based paint may also be a hazard when
found on surfaces that children can chew or
that get a lot of wear-and-tear. These areas
include:
- Windows and window sills.
- Doors and door frames.
- Stairs, railings, and banisters.
- Porches and fences.
Lead dust can form when lead-based paint is
dry scraped, dry sanded, or heated. Dust also
forms when painted surfaces bump or rub
together. Lead chips and dust can get on
surfaces and objects that people touch.
Settled lead dust can reenter the air when
people vacuum, sweep, or walk through it.
Lead in soil can be a hazard when children
play in bare soil or when people bring soil
into the house on their shoes. Call your state
agency (see below) to find out about soil
testing for lead.
CHECKING YOUR HOME FOR LEAD HAZARDS
Just knowing that a home has lead-based paint
may not tell you if there is a hazard.
You can get your home checked for lead hazards
in one of two ways, or both:
- A paint inspection tells you the lead
content of every painted surface in your
home. It won't tell you whether the paint
is a hazard or how you should deal with
it.
- A risk assessment tells you if there are
any sources of serious lead exposure (such
as peeling paint and lead dust). It also
tells you what actions to take to address
these hazards.
Have qualified professionals do the work. The
federal government is writing standards for
inspectors and risk assessors. Some states
might already have standards in place. Call
your state agency for help with locating
qualified professionals in your area (see
below).
Trained professionals use a range of methods
when checking your home, including:
- Visual inspection of paint condition and
location.
- Lab tests of paint samples.
- Surface dust tests.
- A portable x-ray fluorescence machine.
Home test kits for lead are available, but the
federal government is still testing their
reliability. These tests should not be the
only method used before doing renovations or
to assure safety.
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY
If you suspect that your house has lead
hazards, you can take some immediate steps to
reduce your family's risk:
- If you rent, notify your landlord of
peeling or chipping paint.
- Clean up paint chips immediately.
- Clean floors, window frames, window
sills, and other surfaces weekly. Use a
mop or sponge with warm water and a
general all-purpose cleaner or a cleaner
made specifically for lead. REMEMBER:
NEVER MIX AMMONIA AND BLEACH PRODUCTS
TOGETHER SINCE THEY CAN FORM A DANGEROUS
GAS.
- Thoroughly rinse sponges and mop heads
after cleaning dirty or dusty areas.
- Wash children's hands often, especially
before they eat and before nap time and
bed time.
- Keep play areas clean. Wash bottles,
pacifiers, toys, and stuffed animals
regularly.
- Keep children from chewing window sills
or other painted surfaces.
- Clean or remove shoes before entering
your home to avoid tracking in lead from
soil.
- Make sure children eat nutritious,
low-fat meals high in iron and calcium,
such as spinach and low-fat dairy
products. Children with good diets absorb
less lead.
HOW TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE LEAD HAZARDS
Removing lead improperly can increase the
hazard to your family by spreading even more
lead dust around the house.
Always use a professional who is trained to
remove lead hazards safely.
In addition to day-to-day cleaning and good
nutrition:
- You can temporarily reduce lead hazards
by taking actions like repairing damaged
painted surfaces and planting grass to
cover soil with high lead levels. These
actions (called "interim
controls") are not permanent
solutions and will not eliminate all risks
of exposure.
- To permanently remove lead hazards, you
must hire a lead "abatement"
contractor. Abatement (or permanent hazard
elimination) methods include removing,
sealing, or enclosing lead-based paint
with special materials. Just painting over
the hazard with regular paint is not
enough.
Always hire a person with special training for
correcting lead problems--someone who knows
how to do this work safely and has the proper
equipment to clean up thoroughly. If possible,
hire a certified lead abatement contractor.
Certified contractors will employ qualified
workers and follow strict safety rules as set
by their state or by the federal government.
Call your state agency (see below) for help
with locating qualified contractors in your
area and to see if financial assistance is
available.
REMODELING OR RENOVATING A HOME WITH
LEAD-BASED PAINT
If not conducted properly, certain types of
renovations can release lead from paint and
dust into the air.
Take precautions before you begin remodeling
or renovations that disturb painted surfaces
(such as scraping off paint or tearing out
walls):
- Have the area tested for lead-based
paint.
- Do not use a dry scraper, belt-sander,
propane torch, or heat gun to remove
lead-based paint. These actions create
large amounts of lead dust and fumes. Lead
dust can remain in your home long after
the work is done.
- Temporarily move your family (especially
children and pregnant women) out of the
apartment or house until the work is done
and the area is properly cleaned. If you
can't move your family, at least
completely seal off the work area.
- Follow other safety measures to reduce
lead hazards. You can find out about other
safety measures by calling 1-800-424-LEAD.
Ask for the brochure "Reducing Lead
Hazards When Remodeling Your Home."
This brochure explains what to do before,
during, and after renovations.
If you have already completed renovations or
remodeling that could have released lead-based
paint or dust, get your young children tested
and follow the steps outlined above.
OTHER SOURCES OF LEAD
While paint, dust, and soil are the most
common lead hazards, other lead sources also
exist.
- 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. If you think your plumbing
might have lead in it:
Use only cold water for drinking and
cooking.
Run water for 15 to 30 seconds before
drinking it, especially if you have not
used your water for a few hours.
- 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 clothes
separately from the rest of your family's.
- Old painted toys and furniture.
- Food and liquids stored in lead crystal
or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain.
- Lead smelters or other industries that
release lead into the air.
- Hobbies that use lead, such as making
pottery or stained glass, or refinishing
furniture.
- Folk remedies that contain lead, such as
"greta" and "azarcon"
used to treat an upset stomach.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
The National Lead Information Center
Call 1-800-LEAD-FYI to learn how to protect
children from lead poisoning.
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HOT
TOPICS |
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The recent Taylor County Burn Ban was lifted August 18.
Please continue to be careful.
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Congratulations to Jeremy Williams for
his recent promotion to Lieutenant!
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HELP PREVENT GRASS
FIRES
BE CAREFUL WHILE
WELDING OR WORKING WITH OTHER SPARK PRODUCING EQUIPMENT
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When was the
last time you tested your smoke detectors ?
Your Abilene
Fire Department reminds you to test your detectors MONTHLY
!
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Never cross a road that is covered in
water. 1 to 2 feet of water is capable of floating your
vehicle.
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"FIREWATCH"
FIREWATCH
every Monday on
KRBC 9 "Abilene's First News" during the
5:00pm Newscast
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CODE RED
The CodeRED system calls
only those who are in the telephone database. To ensure
no one is omitted, individuals and businesses are
encouraged to log onto the City of Abilene’s website, www.abilenetx.com,
and follow the link to the "CodeRED Residential and
Business Data Collection" page. Those without
Internet access may call Emergency Plans Office
(676-6525), Monday through Friday No one should
automatically assume his or her phone number is
included.
Questions should be
directed to the City of Abilene’s Office of Emergency
Management, (325) 676-6683.
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