Lead paint is a serious health concern, especially for children and pregnant people. The danger mainly comes from lead dust or chips, which can be ingested or inhaled. There is no known safe level of lead exposure, and even low levels can cause lasting harm to developing brains and nervous systems. Key points to understand

• Who is at risk: Young children (especially under six) and pregnant people are most vulnerable. Lead exposure can affect growth, learning, behavior, and development in children, and can contribute to pregnancy complications in adults.
• How exposure occurs: Lead-based paint was common in homes built before 1960, and to a lesser extent up to the late 1970s in some regions. Deteriorating paint, renovations that generate dust, and lead-contaminated household dust or soil are common pathways for exposure.
• Health effects: In children, lead exposure can cause intellectual and developmental delays, learning difficulties, reduced attention span, and behavioral issues. In adults, lead can contribute to high blood pressure, kidney damage, and neuropathy. Very high exposures can cause seizures, coma, or death, though these outcomes are rare with typical household exposures.
• What to do if you live in an older home:
  • Do not sand or burn old lead paint; disturbing it can create dangerous lead dust.
  • Keep areas with chipping or deteriorated paint out of reach of children and pets.
  • If renovation is planned, use lead-safe practices and consider testing for lead and hiring licensed professionals.
  • Consider professional assessment: paint-chip analysis, dust testing, or interior/exterior inspection to determine lead presence and levels.
  • If lead is present and well-bonded, some strategies include containment (covering with wallpaper or paneling) or careful stabilization; if it is deteriorating, encapsulation or removal by qualified contractors may be warranted.
• Quick actions you can take now:
  • Wash hands and toys regularly, especially for young children.
  • Clean up lead dust with damp-wiped surfaces rather than dry sweeping.
  • Ensure children’s play areas are not near painted surfaces that frequently chip.

If you’d like, I can tailor guidance to your location and home age, or help you interpret testing results and compare lead-safe renovation options.