Lead-based paint was used inside homes on woodwork, walls, floors, windows, doors, and stairs because it resisted wear and tear. It was also used on the outside of homes, porches, windows, and doors because it can withstand extreme weather changes.
Lead-based paint kills mold and mildew. Because mold and mildew typically grow in high moisture areas, lead-based paint was often used in places where moisture is found (such as kitchen and bathroom walls and on windows and doors). White lead (lead carbonate) was used extensively in white and light-colored paints, but it has been replaced by titanium dioxide, which is cheaper, easier to use, and a brighter white.
The amount of lead-based paint in housing is significant – approximately 64 million private U.S. residencies contain at least some lead-based paint. An estimated 14 million of the pre-1980 private dwellings contain deteriorating lead-based paint; children under six live in approximately 4 million of these dwellings. Research studies have shown an association between the presence of lead-based paint and the presence of excessive levels of lead in dust and soil.
Children living in homes with lead-based paint can become exposed to that lead by directly eating chips of lead-based paint or chewing on protruding surfaces painted with lead-based paint. However, the more common route of exposure is by ingesting lead-bearing dust that is formed by the paint when it deteriorates, chalks, or is disturbed through renovation or even abrasion from the opening and closing of windows and other friction and impact surfaces. Even in this less direct way, lead-based paint can be a source of severe lead poisoning.
Often, children ingest lead-based paint by normal hand-to-mouth activity. Infants and young children commonly put nonfood objects covered with lead-containing dust or paint into their mouths, while toddlers frequently handle toys and are exposed to accessible surfaces such as window sills. Young children absorb a significantly higher percentage of ingested lead than adults. Lead absorption is increased by malnutrition and poor diet.
Child-occupied facilities such as day-care facilities present a potential source of lead exposure to children. The say-care facility can have the same problems as an individual house (i.e., deteriorating paint inside and chalking of paint outside the facility, and dust, soil, or water contaminated with lead).
Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing
· Approximately 64 million pre-1978 housing units contain some lead-based paint.
· An estimated 13.8 million housing units contain deteriorating lead-based paint.
· Roughly 6 million pre-1979 housing units are reported to be in poor physical condition.
· Approximately 400,000 pre-1979 housing units are economically distressed, in poor physical condition, and occupied by a child under 6.
Although more than 60 percent of houses built between 1940 and 1979 contain some lead-based paint, the greatest risk is in housing built before 1940. Older dwellings tend to contain paint with higher concentrations of lead (up to 50 percent by dry weight) as well as more coats of paint. Therefore, older dwellings are generally a higher priority for lead-hazard controls.
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