The Reality Of Lead Based Paint Health Hazards

Thanks to efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Occupational Safety and Health Act(OSHA), and many others, most people have a general understanding that lead-based paint can be a health hazard. However, in the minds of many individuals, lead based paint presents a danger only to pregnant women and children, and then only if lead-based paint chips are actually consumed. Since few people eat paint chips-or allow their children to eat paint chips-they feel that the problem doesn't merit the attention it's receiving or the expense of the precautions and regulations put forth by various governmental entities in an attempt to deal with the problem. Subsequently only token efforts are made by landlords, building contractors, property managers, construction managers, and homeowners to comply with these regulations. Money expended in compliance with these regulations tends to be viewed as a non-recoverable overhead expense, diverting cash from more basic needs while delivering no real return in the end. However, nothing could be further from the truth. The health hazards posed by lead-based paint are far more pervasive and insidious than this "analysis" allows for. Furthermore, The range of options available to deal with these hazards renders safety-and compliance-achievable by all.

Prior to 1978,(when the use of lead in paint was banned) lead was used in paint as a pigment, to prevent mold and mildew, and to provide added durability. The paints with higher concentrations of lead were regarded as better than those containing smaller amounts, and the use of lead-based paint was judged to be a necessary ingredient in a quality project. Consider the following painting requirements taken from the 1886 specification for the Cambridge Waterworks Valve House,(in Cambridge,N.Y.):"...the outside woodwork and roof to be painted three coats of good lead paint and linseed oil..." Studies indicate that more than 60% of houses built between 1940 and 1979 contain some lead-based paint. This figure is much higher for housing built prior to 1940, and these homes individually are subject to much higher concentrations of lead (having received more coats of paint through the years). Rural communities such as Cambridge, New York which are composed primarilily of older homes and buildings , are generally regarded as a higher priority for lead-based paint hazard control. What is the nature of this hazard?

In 1786, Benjamin Franklin-who by this time was 80 years old-wrote a letter to a friend detailing the commonly observed: "...bad Effects of Lead Taken inwardly..." These "bad effects" were suffered by various tradesmen working with lead- plumbers, glazers, painters, etc.. In closing, Franklin offered the following lament:

"This, my dear Friend , is all I can at presenty recollect on the Subject.
You will see by it, that the Opinion of this mischievous Effect from Lead
is at least above Sixty Years old, and you will observe with Concern how
long useful Truth may be known, and exists before it is generally receiv'd
and practis'd on..."

This last observation by Franklin seems as appropriate today as it did 221 years ago. The fact of the matter is that lead poisioning from lead-based paint can be found in the young and old, urban and rural, poor and affluent, male and female, and all races. Since studies indicate that unborn children, and growing young children absorb more lead more quickly than adults it is true that children and pregnant women are at greater risk. This only means that adults are less vulnerable to lead poisoning, not invulnerable. Additionally, malnutrition and poor diet can increase the amount of lead the body will absorb at any age.

The harmful effects of even moderate lead poisioning in children can include birth defects, lower birth weight, and long-lasting inpairment in intelligence, motor control, hearing, and emotional development. Included in the harmful effects that can result from even modetrate lead poisoning in adults are damaged kidneys, damaged cardiovascular system, damaged central and peripheral nervous systems, high blood pressure, decreased sex drive, abnormal menstrual cycles, erectile disfunction, decreased fertility, miscarriages, and premature birth. It's importatnt to note that moderate lead poisoning in both children and adults can be non-symtomatic for an extended period of time. However, just like the interest on an overdue credit card, the damage is silently being compounded until the victim is overwhelmed. Exposure to high concentrations of lead can result in retardation, convulsions, coma, and death. How are we at risk for lead poisoning?

Studies indicate that the primary manner in which both adults and children become victims of lead poisoning is through ingesting and inhaling fine particles of lead dust generated by lead-based paint that is deteriorating either due to age and weathering, impact, or abrasion - or all of these things. At various points the dust becomes airborne and is inhaled by both children and adults. After the dust settles on a multitude of surfaces children and adults again come into contact with it and transfer it to the food, drink, and cigarettes that are consumed. Additionally, young children have a propensity to put non - food items in their mouths , along with plenty of empty hand - to - mouth contact while crawling around on surfaces contaminated with lead dust.This is a bonus dose adults usually don't receive. As if this weren't enough, it's important to keep in mind that substantial quantities of lead dust can accumulate in the soil of a yard surrounding a house covered in lead based paint. This can contaminate gardens, play areas, and picnic locations, thus increasing the risk of lead poisoning. It's true that eating paint chips contaminated with lead can result in lead poisoning: however, one can acquire lead poisoning with far less effort!

Far from being trivial, the potential health hazards and risks posed by the existence of lead-based paint on our homes and buildings presents a serious challenge requiring a long overdue response, (as I'm sure Ben Franklin would agree). As I've noted elsewhere, this is a multidimensional problem and approaching it in a piecemeal, "every man for himself" manner will only fail, result in cross- contamination, and prolonging the threat. In the coming sequel to this article, I will discuss a range of options to deal with the situation on both an individual and communitywide basis. J. Phlipsak

Note: This originally appeared in the September 2005 issue of "Main Street" * A newspaper for southern Washington County[New York]