What is Lead-Contaminated Dust? | Environmental Hazards Services

Lead Contaminated Dust and Its Hazards

Lead’s use in consumer paint products was banned in 1978 due to its dangerous side effects. Unfortunately, lead-based paint is still present in millions of homes, even if it’s under layers of new paint.

While lead-based paint itself isn’t an issue when left alone, as the paint deteriorates or is disturbed it becomes a hazard—especially when the paint turns into dust particles that can become airborne. This is where lead-contaminated dust typically originates, but it can also come from lead-contaminated soil that is tracked into your home.

On top of normal wear and tear exposing and creating lead-contaminated dust, disruptive activities in your home can also expose you to these dust particles. These particles can be ingested and are especially dangerous for children.

Where Does Lead-Contaminated Dust Come From?

Dust is usually composed of dead skin cells, hair, clothing fibers, bacteria, dust mites, bits of dead bugs, soil particles, pollen and microscopic specks of plastic.

But wherever lead based paint is, lead-contaminated dust is a risk since the paint can be rubbed off or chipped over time—creating toxic dust particles. While lead-based paint can deteriorate over time, it can also be prematurely damaged through home renovations such as:

Sanding
Cutting
Replacing windows
Other disruptive renovation projects

Once the particles come off, they can deposit in your home as dust—usually in windows, doors, floors, porches, stairways and cabinets.

Preventing Lead-Contaminated Dust from Affecting Your Health

If you suspect your home has lead-based paint and could contain lead-contaminated dust, the best way to be sure is thorough testing. Once your home is tested only then can you be sure it’s safe or begin the prevention steps to minimize lead exposure.

And if your home does contain lead-contaminated dust, regularly mopping the floors and horizontal surfaces, as well as cleaning all other surfaces as often as possible can help reduce any toxic dust from becoming airborne.

In terms of renovations, you’ll want to have lead-based paint removed by qualified professionals ahead of time. However, if the renovations must happen before the lead-based paint can be removed, you’ll want to contact contractors certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to handle your renovations safely.

Additionally, keeping children and pregnant people away from your home during the renovations is the best way to keep at-risk individuals safe. If anyone, especially children, come into contact with contaminated dust or materials, it’s best to have their hands thoroughly washed to help reduce the risk of ingestion.

Thorough Testing by EHS to Keep Your Home Healthy

Lead exposure, whether for a short- or long-term period of time, can be detrimental to your health.

When lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust are a concern in your home, proper sampling and testing are your first lines of defense against the effects of lead exposure.

Environmental Hazards Services provides quality lead testing that can help you identify the substance and prevent any related health effects.