Lead-based paint was used in many homes built before the 1980s. When it was being used, it was thought of as a safe additive to the paint. After multiple health problems in people who had lead paint in their homes, and developmental issues with children who were in lead-painted homes, research exposed that lead was actually an incredibly dangerous metal. When ingested this toxic metal causes lead poisoning, which comes with a whole host of symptoms. There are multiple ways to get lead poisoning, including by touching lead paint or lead products and then touching your mouth, fully ingesting lead paint chips, or by coming into contact with lead-contaminated soil. Most of the time, lead poisoning is caused by having lead paint in your home, along with lead pipes, which can also lead to many health problems. When the old paint starts to deteriorate, it releases fine dust indetectable to the naked eye. This dust can be swallowed or breathed in by whoever is living in the lead-contaminated home. When your home is made with lead pipes, the pipes eventually wear down, and lead will be released into your water supply, leading to lead poisoning.
Lead poisoning is very dangerous, especially in regards to young children. When children ingest lead and develop lead poisoning, many aspects of their health will be affected. Lead consumption will lead to brain damage and nerve damage in young children. This leads to many learning and behavioral problems as a result of the brain damage done by the lead. A child’s growth and development will also be affected, with many children with lead poisoning not maturing as fast as their peers. This is most likely due to the brain damage the lead has caused. The child will experience hearing and speech problems, and will also regularly have headaches as well.
Adults can also be affected by the lead in their homes. When adults ingest lead, they may not see the effects right away. This is why it is important to get lead poisoning testing if you have been living in a home that contains lead. When the symptoms do finally show, they can be numerous. Lead poisoning in adults can cause reproductive problems, high blood pressure, brain or nerve damage, memory and concentration problems, and muscle and joint pain.
As you can see, having lead in your home is incredibly dangerous and can lead to a whole host of health problems. In order to minimize these problems, be sure to contact and lead abatement professionals and have the lead in your home removed. If you have lead that you need to get removed, or would like to get testing for lead, call us now at 872-244-6731.
