The Lead Hazard in Older Homes:
Preferred home building techniques and materials change over the years. Some materials that were commonly used in older homes have since been found to present a health hazard. In a previous post we focused on asbestos in homes built before 1978. In this post, we focus on lead, which was used in paint and plumbing.
The two main sources of lead in older homes are lead pipes and solder from pre-1986 plumbing or pre-1978 lead paint. While the hazards of lead are very serious, especially to young children, abatement (removal) is seldom necessary. The lead paint hazard can be managed with careful maintenance, while the lead in drinking water can be removed by treating the water within the home.
Effects of Lead Exposure:
Most lead exposure occurs when we drink, eat or breathe in lead particles. Although lead can enter the body through the skin, this doesn’t occur very easily.
Lead primarily targets the nervous system. Lead exposure is most dangerous to children under the age of six for three reasons. Their growing bodies absorb lead easily, their developing nervous systems are more sensitive to lead, and they tend to put almost everything into their mouths. An adult may get lead contaminated dust on their skin and it will likely be washed off, but a child will place the dust covered hand or toy into their mouth. Unfortunately, lead does not have an unpleasant taste, and young children may eat paint if it is peeling, or mouth a toy or jewelry that has lead in or on it.
In children, lead exposure causes damage to the brain and nervous system, leading to behavior and learning problems (like hyperactivity), slowed growth, hearing problems, and headaches. Adult exposure can lead to reproductive problems, high blood pressure, hypertension, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems, and muscle and joint pain.
Lead in Drinking Water:
Plumbing containing lead (or lead-based solder) may be found in houses, apartments, and public buildings built before 1986. The use of lead-containing solders in potable water systems was effectively banned by the Safe Water Drinking Amendment of 1986. At that time, the solder commonly used to connect copper pipes was equal parts lead and tin, which was very easy to use because of its low melting point. Solder used after 1986 are typically tin-antimony or tin-silver, which have higher melting points and higher strength.
Fortunately, mineral deposits form a coating on the inside of the water pipes as they age which tends to keep the lead from leaching into the water. If your home has older plumbing, it is recommended that you use cold water for drinking and cooking, and that you allow the water to run so that any lead in the pipes is flushed out.
Water Softener Concerns for Older Homes:
Acidic or “soft” water allows lead to leach into water more easily. Although most of San Diego doesn’t have soft water, many people do use water softeners. Water softeners are point of entry systems, so they treat the water between the street and the house. If you have a water softener then you have soft water in your pipes. If you also have older plumbing, you may want to treat your drinking water.
To remove lead from drinking water, it is recommended that you use a point-of-use system, which treats the water after it exits the pipes. There are three types of water treatments that can remove lead. They are distillation, carbon or charcoal filtration, and reverse osmosis. Before purchasing a device, you should check to see that it has NSF certification, and follow the instructions carefully.
Lead in Paint:
Federal Law restricted lead paint from residential use beginning in 1978. Homes built before 1940 are almost certain to have lead paint, while homes built before 1978 usually have lead paint. Owners of pre-1978 housing must disclose to potential buyers or renters all known information about the presence of lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards. Sellers must provide either the information pamphlet, Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home, or other EPA-approved pamphlet as well as a specific disclosure statement.
When the older home’s interior paint is in poor condition, there may be high levels of lead found in dust throughout the home. Flakes of paint will almost certainly have high levels of lead, and would be dangerous if eaten. Exterior lead paint that has deteriorated and weathered may cause high levels of lead in the soil around the home. (Keep in mind that just because a home was built after 1978 doesn’t guaranty that there is no lead paint in it. A homeowner may have used “non-residential” or older paint in the home.)
People who live in older homes undergoing renovation projects are at risk when paint is dry-scraped or dry-sanded, because this creates dust which then settles on surfaces throughout the home. When working on older homes with lead paint the work area should be “contained” (or draped), dust should be minimized, and clean-up must be thorough. Removing lead paint with propane torches or high temperature heat guns is not recommended, since lead fumes are created in this process.
Beginning in April 2010, federal law will require certification for contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978. Specific work practices that prevent lead contamination will be required. You can read more (lots more) about this on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website.
What is lead, and where does it come from?
Lead is a bluish-gray metal that occurs naturally, usually in combination with other elements to form lead compounds. In metallic form, it is easily molded and shaped, and is often combined with other alloys for use in pipes, storage batteries, weights, ammunition, cable covers, and radiation shields. The largest uses for lead and lead alloys was in gasoline additives, vehicle batteries, but it is also used in pipes, weights, ammunition, paint, dyes, ceramic glazes, caulk, and lead arsenate pesticides (for fruit trees). Most lead is either mined or obtained from recycled vehicle batteries.
The presence of lead in the air and topsoil has increased over 1,000 fold in the last 300 years. The greatest release of lead into the air has been from car exhaust. The airborne lead falls to the earth during rains, where it sticks tightly to soil particles, so it remains in the topsoil. Lead stays tightly bonded to soil particles even when carried into lakes and streams as sediment, unless the water is acidic (soft). Weathering from old buildings and painted structures adds to the lead found in the soil.
Since 1980, lead emissions have dropped nearly 97 percent nationwide due to the phase-out of lead in gasoline. Today, lead in the air comes from primarily from smelters, iron and steel foundries, and general aviation gasoline. More than 1,300 tons of lead are still emitted to the air each year, according to EPA estimates.
Historical Milestones for Lead Usage:
- 1920: Lead Additives used in gasoline to increase fuel octane.
- 1973 – 1986: EPA begins a gradual phase-out of lead in gasoline for residential use vehicles.
- 1978: Federal law restricts “lead paint” from residential use. (NOTE: Lead may be present in paint used for “non-residential” purposes, and if produced in other countries.)
- 1986: Safe Drinking Water Act: Use of lead-containing solders in potable water systems is effectively banned.
- 1996: Clean Air Act: The sale of leaded fuel for use in on-road vehicles is banned. Leaded fuel is still sold for aircraft, racing cars, farm equipment, and marine engines.
- 1996: Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Regulations: Owners of pre-1978 housing must disclose knowledge of lead paint and provide information to prospective home buyers. The publication Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home, or other EPA-approved pamphlet as well as a specific disclosure statement are required.
Additional Sources of Lead Exposure:
The focus of this post has been on lead in homes, but there are other sources of lead exposure. The following is a quick and dirty list of other possible sources of exposure.
- Lead is commonly found in the soil near roadways, older buildings, old orchards, mining areas, industrial sites, power plants, incinerators, landfills, and hazardous waste sites.
- Leaded glass crystal should not be used to store liquids or used on a daily basis. (Antique crystal typically contains lead.)
- Ceramics and pottery may have lead in the paint or glaze (especially antiques, or pottery made by amateurs or made in some other countries).
- Certain Industries or Hobbies: Employment in some industries (foundries, shipyards, battery manufacturing) or hobbies where lead is used (stained glass, fishing weights, and some jewelry).
- Living in an area near certain industries, or where solid waste is burned.
- Some products, such as inexpensive or imported costume jewelry, hair dyes, cosmetics, herbal remedies, and lead-soldered cans (imported).
- More information…
References:
NSF Approved Water Treatment Devices
Effective Lead Water Treatment Systems
US Dept of Housing and Urban Development: Lead in Homes and Communities
Reducing Lead in the Home: EPA Handout
US Environmental Protection Agency: Lead Information
Environmental Protection Agency: Lead Index Page – loads of links to more information
Dept of Health and Human Services: Toxicological Profile for Lead
Tags: Hidden Hazards, lead, lead disclosure, lead in homes, lead in plumbing, lead paint