Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home

It’s important to take steps to protect your family from lead in your home. Because lead is a harmful metal that can cause health problems in kids. This can include finding and fixing lead hazards in the home, like lead paint or pipes, and using safe ways to renovate or fix things for wholesome family living.

Families may also use water filters that remove lead, give their children foods with calcium and iron, and see a doctor to check for lead levels. These actions can help families avoid lead exposure and make sure their kids grow up healthy.

Things to Know to Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home

Does lead found in chocolate?

Yes, it is possible for chocolate to contain lead.

• Lead can be found in the soil where cocoa beans grow and may be absorbed by the beans.
• Lead can also be present in the manufacturing process of chocolate if the equipment used is contaminated.
• The levels of lead found in chocolate are generally low and not a significant source of exposure for most people.
• It’s important to be aware of potential sources of lead in the foods we eat and take steps to reduce our overall exposure.

Does lead found in shein clothes?

• The US Customs and Border Protection agency tested Shein clothing in 2020.
• Some of the Shein clothing items had high levels of lead.
• Lead was found in the clothing decorations such as zippers, buttons, and snaps.
• The amount of lead in the clothing exceeded the federal limit for lead in children’s products.
• This raised concerns about the potential health risks of wearing the clothing.
• Some of the clothing items were recalled.
• Shein has implemented measures to ensure that their products comply with safety regulations.

Where Is Lead Found In Homes?

Lead can be found in different parts of a home, including-

• Painted surfaces: Lead-based paint may be on walls, ceilings, doors, and window frames.
• Pipes and plumbing fixtures: Lead may be present in lead pipes, brass fixtures, and solder used to join pipes.
• Dust and soil: Lead dust can settle on floors, carpets, and other surfaces. Lead may also be present in the soil surrounding a home.
• Consumer products: Some consumer products such as certain types of pottery, cosmetics, and toys may contain lead.
• Other sources: Lead may also be present in some building materials, such as roofing materials and insulation.

12 Best Ways To Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home

1) Test your home for lead, especially if it was built before 1978

Lead was commonly in paint and other household items until it was banned for residential use in 1978. If your home was before then, it’s important to test for lead. 

You can purchase a DIY lead test kit or hire a certified lead inspector to perform the test. Testing for lead in your home can help you identify potential hazards and take appropriate action to protect your family.

2) Hire a certified professional to remove any lead hazards from your home

If your home tests positive for lead, it’s important to hire a certified professional to safely remove any lead hazards. Attempting to remove lead hazards on your own can be dangerous. 

As it can release harmful lead dust into the air. But certified professionals have the proper training and equipment to safely remove lead hazards from your home.

3) To protect from lead keep your home clean, especially floors, windowsills, and other surfaces

Regularly cleaning your home can help reduce the amount of lead dust and other contaminants. Focus on high-traffic areas such as floors, windowsills, and other surfaces where lead dust can accumulate. Use a damp cloth or mop to prevent lead dust from becoming airborne.

4) Use a HEPA vacuum or wet mop to clean up lead dust in the home

When cleaning up lead dust, it’s important to use a HEPA vacuum or wet mop. These methods are effective at capturing and containing lead dust, preventing it from becoming airborne. Avoid using dry sweeping or dry dusting methods, as these can stir up lead dust and make it easier to inhale.

5) Wash hands and toys frequently, especially before eating

Frequent handwashing can help prevent the ingestion of lead dust and other contaminants. Encourage children to wash their hands frequently, especially before eating or handling food. Clean toys regularly, as they can collect lead dust from contaminated surfaces.

6) Avoid storing food or liquids in leaded containers

Avoid using containers that contain lead, such as some ceramic dishes, pewter, and crystal. Lead can leach into food and liquids stored in these containers, increasing your risk of lead exposure.

7) Learn safe consumption of water to protect your family from lead in your home

Run the cold water tap for a few minutes before drinking or cooking. So to make sure your drinking or cooking water doesn’t contain lead, turn on the cold water tap for a few minutes before using it. This helps to flush out any lead that may have built up in the pipes.

Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula: Hot water is more likely to contain lead than cold water. So, it’s better to use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula.

Use a water filter that is certified to remove lead. Using a water filter that is certified to remove lead can help reduce lead levels in your drinking water. Look for a filter that has been certified by NSF International or the Water Quality Association.

8) To remove lead-based paint from the home use a safe method

If you need to remove lead-based paint, it’s important to use a safe method that won’t spread lead dust in the air. Two safe methods are wet sanding and lead paint encapsulation.

• Wet sanding

Wet the area to be sanded with water, and then sand it while it’s wet. This stops lead dust from getting into the air.

• Lead paint encapsulation

Apply a special coating over lead-based paint to seal the lead in. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully. Then by using these safer methods, you can protect your family from lead in your home.

9) Try to keep children safe from lead exposure in soil and paint chips at home

It’s important to protect your children so make sure they’re not playing in areas with bare soil or chipping or peeling paint.

Why it’s important to keep children away from bare soil and paint chips

Even small amounts of lead can cause health problems in children, including developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral issues. So to prevent these health problems, it’s important to keep children away from areas with bare soil or chipping or peeling paint.

To keep children safe from lead exposure in soil and paint chips, follow these tips-

Cover bare soil with grass, mulch, or other ground cover. Repair any chipping or peeling paint as soon as possible. Clean up any paint chips or debris immediately and dispose of them properly. Regularly clean floors, windowsills, and other surfaces to remove lead dust.

Keep children’s play areas clean and free of debris. By following these tips, you can help protect your children from lead poisoning and ensure that they grow up healthy and strong.

10) Try to Safely Seal or Cover Lead Hazards in Your Home

If you can’t remove lead hazards from your home completely, you can encapsulate or seal them properly. Because this can help prevent the release of lead dust into the air.

Why sealing lead hazards is important

Sometimes, it may not be possible to remove lead hazards from your home completely. Sealing or covering these hazards can help prevent the release of lead dust into the air, which can be harmful to your health.

Examples of lead hazards that can be sealed or covered-

Lead-based paint on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces Lead pipes or plumbing fixtures Lead-containing materials used for construction or insulation

How to seal or cover lead hazards

To seal or cover lead hazards in your home, follow these steps-

• You should identify the lead hazards in your home and when it’s not able to fix.
• Then, thoroughly clean the surfaces that need to be sealed or covered to remove any dirt or debris.
• Use a special coating to cover lead-based paint, or use a sealant to cover any lead-contaminated surfaces.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when applying the coating or sealant.
• Regularly inspect the sealed or covered surfaces to ensure they remain intact and undamaged.

By properly sealing or covering lead hazards in your home, you can help protect yourself and your family from the harmful effects of lead exposure.

11) Avoid Lead in Home Remedies and Cosmetics

Some home remedies and cosmetics may contain lead, which can be dangerous if swallowed or absorbed by the skin. So to avoid lead exposure, it’s important to stay away from these products.

Why should you avoid home remedies and cosmetics that might have lead?

Some home remedies and cosmetics have lead, which is poisonous if you swallow or absorb it. Even tiny amounts of lead can make you sick, particularly if you’re a child or pregnant. To keep yourself healthy, it’s better to avoid these products altogether.

What are some examples of home remedies and cosmetics that might have lead?

Some examples of home remedies and cosmetics that might have lead are:

• Eye cosmetics like kohl and Surma
• Vermilion powders are in religious ceremonies like Sindoor
• Powders like Greta and Azarcon used to cure stomach aches and other ailments

How can you check if a product contains lead?

It’s hard to know if a product contains lead just by looking at it. So if you’re not sure if a product is safe, you can ask a healthcare provider or do some research. Check for products that have been tested for lead and found safe.

What can you do to avoid lead exposure?

To avoid lead exposure from home remedies and cosmetics, try these tips-

• Don’t use any product that you think might have lead.
• Find safer alternatives that don’t have lead.
• If you’re not sure if a product is safe, do some research or ask a healthcare provider.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after using home remedies and cosmetics.
• Keep these products out of reach of children.

12) Know Safe Work Practices for Renovating or Remodeling Older Homes to Minimize Lead Exposure

When renovating or remodeling older homes, it’s important to take precautions to minimize the risk of lead exposure. One of the key steps is to follow safe work practices, including containing and disposing of lead debris properly.

Why follow safe work practices?

When working on older homes, there is a high likelihood of encountering lead-based paint and other sources of lead. Lead exposure can be harmful to both workers and occupants of the home. By following safe work practices, you can minimize the risk of exposure and ensure a safer environment for everyone.

What are some safe work practices to follow?

• Use lead-safe work practices, such as wetting down surfaces to minimize dust and debris.
• Contain the work area to prevent the spread of lead dust and debris.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves, respirators, and coveralls.
• Use HEPA vacuums to clean up debris and dust.
• Dispose of lead debris properly, in accordance with local regulations.

Why is containing and disposing of lead debris properly important?

Lead debris can be harmful. So it’s important to contain the work area to prevent the spread of lead dust and debris. When cleaning up, use HEPA vacuums to capture as much lead dust and debris as possible. Dispose of lead debris in sealed containers and in accordance with local regulations. Then you can protect your family from lead in your home.