Peeling and cracking paint? Damaged wood rot or a broken deck? These are dangerous issues that require immediate or preventive actions. But what if I told you there's an even more dangerous threat to your home? One that you cannot see or smell, and that poses a greater risk to your and your children's well-being than any of these smaller issues. Let's take a closer look at what lead paint is and why it is so dangerous.
How dangerous is lead paint?
Over half of Maine homes may contain lead paint, which is 15% higher than the national average, where only 35% of houses have lead paint. In Portland, the city estimated that half of all houses were built before 1950. Houses like these are more likely to contain lead paint, as the EPA did not ban its use until 1978. However, many people who might have been affected by lead have not reported it. This can happen for several reasons, such as simple unawareness that their house is lead-painted, or people may not say anything until the symptoms become clear. This is why the presence of lead would be much higher than we think. But why do we need to care about it?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a brochure detailing the threats posed by lead paint. Every year, lead poisoning affects over a million children, with many more cases likely going unreported. These children suffer from irreversible damage, including lower intelligence, learning disabilities, and behavioral issues.
Adults are also at risk. Exposure to lead paint can cause high blood pressure, headaches, dizziness, diminished motor skills, fatigue, and memory loss. Even small levels of exposure can be harmful. The main danger is that once a person is poisoned, the effects cannot be reversed. Lead poisoning can lead to reproductive problems, anemia, kidney damage, constipation, stomach pain, irritability, trouble sleeping, and loss of appetite.
Recent research indicates that many cases of lead poisoning occur during renovations where the work environment is not adequately contained. This is why it's crucial to hire certified contractors who will take the necessary precautions to ensure a safe workspace.
The threats of renovation.
Lead paint renovation creates microscopic dust that can enter the body when inhaled or ingested. Common renovation activities, such as sanding, cutting, and demolition, can produce hazardous lead dust and chips. Safety regulations are required even for small jobs. Unfortunately, due to many social and economic challenges, such as COVID-19 and others, lead safety law enforcement in many states, including Maine, was minimal, giving unethical contractors a chance to get away with improper renovation techniques.That is why it is essential to hire a Lead-Safe Certified contractor with the expertise and equipment to minimize dust and ensure a thorough, safe cleanup. We strongly recommend that homeowners verify their certified renovator is effectively sealing every entrance and window, maintaining a clean and secure work environment, and following proper cleanup procedures. For these purposes, this article aims to introduce you to the basics of lead safety techniques to keep you and your surroundings safe.
How does Impact Painters succeed in such a dangerous job? Impact Painters has significantly different sets of tools and protective gear for lead projects compared to a typical paint job. Impact Painters' lead-safety teams use specialized equipment such as HEPA vacuum sanders, plastic sheeting, signage, and caution tape to ensure safety and compliance with lead regulations. In terms of protective gear, or "costumes," lead-safety teams wear respirator masks, full-body Tyvek suits including over shoes, and goggles to protect themselves from hazardous lead dust and particles. This Is due to the strict lead-safety protocols that aim at protecting both customers and house-painters.
While HEPA vacuums are highly effective at containing harmful lead dust, we also tape off windows and doors within twenty feet of the work area. Besides, the work in the area of contamination cannot be conducted if the wind is exceeding 20 MPH at time of work to prevent dust dispersal. Additionally, plastic is extended an extra two feet outside the containment area, and a double-flapped entry is created for any entrances within an enclosed containment area.
After the renovation is completed, there are a few steps that should be strictly followed to ensure that no lead dust or chips remain in the environment. All lead chips and dust are captured within the plastic containment, thus preventing possible contamination of the ground or surroundings. The team after conduct a scrupulous cleaning up using HEPA vacuums to remove lead dust and chips. It may happen 2-3 times a day to ensure that the work area is clean and safe to work. Such measures effectively mitigate any risks associated with lead dust or chips.
Conclusion.
Lead paint is a source of hazard and requires specific tools, gear, knowledge and procedures to deal with it. To ensure a safe environment to work in and an area for living, protective measures must be implemented. Impact Painters team ensures all tools are used properly, effective strategies to reduce contamination are followed, and they monitor weather that can put the renovation process off. By following these meticulous safety standards, lead-safe certified contractors mitigate the dangers of lead paint, ensuring safer communities and homes for our loved ones.
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