Lead-Based PaintStill A Health Hazard (NAPSA)—DEAR DR. MOORE: I own a character home and want to sand the floors and trim to their original wood state. Should I be concerned about lead-based paint? Yes. Despite the fact that lead' based paint was ' phased out in 1978, lead poisoning is still a major national health issue—and_ old paint is one of the mainculprits. According to the Departmentof Housing and Urban Development (HUD), about 38 million homes in the United States contain some lead-based paint. If the paint’s in good condition, it shouldn’t pose a risk. But more than half of those homes are thought to have lead-based paint that’s chipping and peeling enoughto be dangerous. Character homes like yours raise another issue. While people used to think nothing of painting Dr. Moore all the wood, the trend now is to add value to the homeby exposing its natural beauty. The problem, because woodis durable and tends to be in such great shape, is that people strip or sand the paint without recognizing the risks to their health. Before you do anything, Id recommend having the paint inspected. Although do-it-yourself kits do exist, they aren’t always reliable. A qualified inspector, on the other hand, can tell you whether the paint contains lead and, if so, how much. Homesbuilt before the early 1950s tend to have the highest concentrations, up to 50 percent by weight. If the paint is deteriorating, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends a number of immediate steps, such as cleaning surfaces frequently, and thoroughly rinsing sponges and mop heads. Avoid sanding, chipping or heating the paint asthis can create lead dust and fumes whichare easily inhaled. Somepeople believe that only children and pregnant women are at risk from lead poisoning. But while they’re more susceptible, anyone can beaffected. In adults, lead poisoning can cause (among other things) nerve damage, impaired mental functions and increased blood pressure. If the paint is lead-based and you still want to proceed, it makes sense to follow the recommendation of both the U.S. EPA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission: hire trained professionals, who know howto protect both worker health and the surrounding environment. For more infor- mation, visit the HUD Website (www.hud.gov) or call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD. Dr. Patrick Moore has been a leader of the environmental movement for more than 30 years. A cofounder of Greenpeace, he holds a PhD in ecology and a BSc in forest biology. Questions can be sent to Patrick@SensibleEnvironmental ist.com.
