PROUDLY SERVING PHILADELPHIA AND NORRISTOWN PA.

IF YOUR HOME WAS BUILT BEFORE 1978, ESPECIALLY BEFORE 1960, IT IS VERY LIKELY TO HAVE LEAD PAINT. UNDISTURBED PAINT WITH A SMOOTH SURFACE IS NOT CONSIDERED DANGEROUS, AND MOST LEAD PAINT HAS BEEN COVERED WITH MANY LAYERS OF NON-LEADED PAINT. HOWEVER, IF THE LAYERED PAINT IS LOOSENED BY WATER DAMAGE OR PITTED BY THE SCRAPES AND DENTS OF DAILY LIVING, THE OLD LEAD LAYERS MAY BECOME UNCOVERED. ONCE EXPOSED, THE PAINT CAN DETERIORATE, AND LOOSE CHIPS OR FLAKES THAT FALL ON THE FLOOR CAN BE GROUND UNDERFOOT INTO FINE PAINT DUST. EVEN FINER DUST, INVISIBLE TO THE EYE, IS CREATED BY THE FRICTION OF OPENING AND CLOSING TIGHT-FITTING PAINTED DOORS AND WINDOWS. LOOSE PAINT AND PAINT DUST CAN POISON BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN, AND REMOVING LEAD PAINT REQUIRES SPECIAL METHODS TO AVOID CREATING EVEN MORE LEAD DUST. THIS BROCHURE IS INTENDED TO GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION NEEDED TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY FROM LEAD PAINT HAZARDS.

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CHIPS AND FLAKES:

THE HIGHEST BLOOD LEAD LEVELS IN SMALL CHILDREN ARE USUALLY LINKED TO EATING LEAD PAINT CHIPS, WHICH ARE SWEET TASTING, OFTEN BRIGHTLY COLORED, AND CAN CONTAIN UP TO 50 PERCENT LEAD. CHEWING ON LEAD-PAINTED WINDOW SILLS OR TOYS IS ALSO A SOURCE OF LEAD POISONING. FLAKING LEAD PAINT ON OUTSIDE WALLS CAN CONTAMINATE YARD SOIL UP TO 10 OR MORE FEET FROM THE HOUSE.

BEGIN BY INSPECTING ALL YOUR HOME’S PAINTED SURFACES CAREFULLY, INDOORS AND OUT. ALSO INSPECT ANY OTHER HOUSE OR DAY CARE FACILITY WHERE YOUR CHILD SPENDS TIME.

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WHAT TO LOOK FOR:     

PEELING PAINT, VARNISH, OR GLAZE

SURFACE WEAR ON THE EDGE OF A TIGHT-FITTING PAINTED DOOR OR A STAIRWAY

TOOTH MARKS ON WINDOW SILLS AND RAILINGS ON STAIRWAYS OR CRIBS

WORN OR CHIPPED GLAZE ON PORCELAIN BATHTUBS, SINKS, OR CERAMIC TILE

“CHALKING,” A WHITE, POWDERY COATING THAT COMES OFF ON YOUR HAND

PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO WINDOWS AND DOORS, STAIR TREADS AND RAILINGS (INCLUDING CRIB AND PORCH RAILS), CHILDREN’S FURNITURE, CABINETS, AND BASEBOARDS.

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