A toxic paint from the past - Homeowners, parents advised to be aware of lead issues

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A toxic paint from the past

Homeowners, parents advised to be aware of lead issues

Substance now banned from paint can have serious health effects

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By KELLY GILBERT - GM Today Staff

February 5, 2005

http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2005/February_05/02042005_03.asp

WAUKESHA - Nearly 450,000 children under the age of 6 have blood-lead

levels high enough to impair to their ability to think, concentrate and

learn, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

" People everywhere should be concerned about lead, " said Steve Korthof,

environmental health supervisor for Waukesha County. " Lead is a poison

to the human body. It's particularly harmful to young children. "

Although lead-based paint was banned in 1978, it can still be found in

older homes, raising concerns for homeowners and parents

" It's extremely serious, " said Dr. Yagoda of ProHealth Care

Medical Centers of Muskego. " It can cause death and seizures and

long-term disabilities. "

In 2004, 3,716 children under the age of 6 were tested for lead

poisoning in Waukesha County and 32 tests came back positive, according

to the Waukesha County Department of Health and Family Services.

Symptoms vary from headaches, stomachaches and lack of appetite to

seizures, behavioral problems, anemia, developmental delays and

hyperactivity, said Yagoda.

However, testing and precautions can minimize any dangers the paint may

pose.

" Good maintenance and house cleaning is really the main way to go to

prevent lead digestion, " said Mike Rehfeldt, state-certified lead risk

assessor and project manager of Midwest Engineering Services.

Contrary to the belief that children who eat paint chips will get lead

poisoning, dust is the main culprit behind most digestion, Rehfeldt said.

" If you renovate your house, you're going to create a huge dust load at

that time, " he said. " Even if you clean it up, often you just end up

moving the dust around. "

Rehfeldt suggests using a professional vacuum cleaner with a

high-efficiency particulate air filter or trying to keep the paint

surface moist as you work to eliminate dry dust.

To test if a home has lead paint, homeowners can either hire a lead

contractor or purchase a home test kit.

Such kits are available at Olson's Ace Hardware in Waukesha. The store

carries three kits, one for water, one is a surface test where a stick

is rubbed on the surface and the third kit involves sending results into

a lab.

" We're very concerned with any EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

issues and Ace Hardware is very progressive and they've eliminated

everything they can possibly take out of paint, " owner Art Olson said.

" They are environmentally conscious. "

( Gilbert can be reached at kgilbert@...)

Did you know?

* Lead exposure can harm young children and babies before they are born.

* Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their

bodies.

* You can get lead in your body by breathing or swallowing lead dust, or

by eating soil or paint chips containing lead.

* In most cases, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a hazard.

* Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase the danger to your

family.

* Lead is more dangerous to children because they often put their hands

and other objects in their mouths. These objects can have lead dust on

them. Children also absorb more lead and are more sensitive to the

damaging effects of lead.

* Adult side affects of lead include difficulties during pregnancy,

reproduction problems, high blood pressure, digestive problems, nerve

disorders, memory and concentration problems, muscle and joint pain.

This story appeared in the Waukesha Freeman on Feb. 4, 2005.

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