Your environment is constantly changing around you. As technology advances and health concerns continue to be brought to the forefront, everyday materials and living situations are put under a more scrutinizing light. Due to the old nature of many modern day houses, the need for certified lead renovators is more pronounced than ever. Lead is a hazardous substance that can lead to severe health issues if not properly addressed and removed. If you haven’t applied for a lead certification renewal course or wish to learn more about the nature of lead and its effect on everyday people’s lives, continue to read below.
What Is Lead?
This once common material has become more and more rare due to its burgeoning health risks. It is a type of metal originally favored for its malleability and sheen, previously used in everything from building construction to pencils to batteries. When ingested or inhaled, however, this substance is notoriously toxic to both humans and animals and can cause severe health problems. These range from (but are not limited to) nerve damage, blood disorders and liver failure.
How Many Homes Have Lead?
Estimates have shown three-quarters of American housing have some concentration of lead paint, further establishing the skill sets of certified lead renovators. Unfortunately, more than three million children age six and younger (making that one in every six children on average) has already been exposed to toxic levels of lead. A major factor of this exposure is due to the prevalence of older homes — according to the HUD (short for Department of Housing and Urban Development), a stunning 90% of pre-1940 buildings and 80% of pre-1960 buildings have lead. While only 60% of pre-1970 homes and establishments have toxic exposure, this number is still far too high.
What Health Issues Arise From Lead Exposure?
There are a wide variety of minor to severe health issues that occur from repeated exposure to lead, be it inhaled or absorbed through physical contact. Childhood lead exposure is thought to contribute to over 600,000 new cases of children developing intellectual abilities, which can significantly impact their home life and ability to thrive in a school setting. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (also known as the CDC) has established a ‘level of concern’ for children at 10 micrograms per deciliter for blood level levels.
Where Is Lead Found?
A certified lead contractor is needed to pinpoint every source of lead possible. While a significant amount is found in paint, some can be discovered in soil and pipes. Prior to World War II, lead-based paints contained as much as 40% lead by dry weight alone. The U.S. Geological Survey has estimated a mean in naturally occurring lead in soil to be 16 parts per million. Children who suffer from lead poisoning have been found to suffer significant mental and emotional health issues, with some studies seeing them seven times more likely to drop out of school as a result.
How Do I Remove Lead?
The first step toward eliminating the harmful presence of lead is contacting a certified lead renovator. With a skill set garnered through an EPA lead certification course, they can narrow down the location of lead present in soil and paint and take the necessary measures to remove it. Household dust has been found to have traces of lead, as well, so floors and horizontal surfaces should be wet-mopped and wet-wiped every two to three weeks. The government has been hard at work reducing the amount of lead in paint for decades and with the work of certified lead renovators, a lead-free world will soon be a reality.
