Is your home built before 1978?
Time to check for lead!
By Madeleine Kates
Lead poisoning can occur from exposure, whether through ingestion, absorption, or by respiration, when someone is in contact with lead products, but lead paint in particular. With winter coming and spring cleaning and home repairs following closely after, now is the time to start inspecting your home for lead contamination.
In the Buffalo area, the majority of homes were built before lead was banned from paint in 1978, which leaves residents vulnerable to negative effects of lead exposure. According to the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo, some of the areas at an increased risk for lead related issues include homes located in the zip codes 14202, 14207, 14208, 14209, 14210, 14210, 14211, 14212, 14213, and 14215.
Lead is a particularly dangerous substance due to its ability to enter and stay in the body. The effects of lead exposure may include symptoms of mild illness, to more serious neurological disabilities, and may result in death. One of the best ways to identify the possibility of lead in the home is to get a home inspection.
Areas of concern include:
Peeling paint. If old paint seems to be peeling or chipping, it may be time to have a test done. If lead is found, remediation efforts can be assessed for each individual situation including trapping it in the wall through the creation of a barrier, or in extreme cases, full removal of the paint by certified professionals. At-home lead test kits are a great option to get homeowners started on the process of locating lead.
Age of the home. If your home was built before 1978, this may be a good indicator of the presence of lead. Before this time, lead was added to paints to increase durability, and was widely used in residential areas.
Information from other nearby homes. If neighboring homes are having known issues with lead, it may be a good time to call for help. In the Buffalo area, there are many programs to address childhood lead poisoning and lead remediation. Some of these programs include the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo and LEADSAFE Erie County. These programs work closely with the Erie County Health Department, as well as the Buffalo & Erie County Lead Safe Task Force.
While taking care of lead in a home may seem like a daunting issue, local programs and organizations are available. For more information about lead safety in the home, some great resources are https://www.getaheadoflead.org, https://tinyurl.com/y4vcu2j6 or https://tinyurl.com/yxz6gzew.
Madeleine Kates is a freelance writer, pre-health student at Niagara University, and an editor for Buffalo Healthy Living Magazine.
