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Lead
is a highly toxic metal that was used for
many years in products found in and around
our homes and buildings. Lead may cause a
range of health effects, from behavioral problems
and learning disabilities, to seizures and
death. Children 6 years old and under are
most at risk, because their bodies are growing
quickly. Lead in paint, dust and soil is a
problem for children because it gets in their
bodies when they put their fingers, toys or
paint chips or dust into their mouths. Lead
can also harm a pregnant woman and her developing
fetus.
Research
suggests that the primary sources of lead
exposure for most children are:
• deteriorating lead-based paint,
• lead contaminated dust, and
• lead contaminated residential soil.
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In 1978, there were nearly three
to four million children with elevated blood
lead levels in the United States. In the 1990s,
that number dropped to 434,000 kids, and it
continues to decline. Lead poisoning can affect
nearly every system in the body as it presents
obvious symptoms and hence, frequently goes
unrecognized. Lead poisoning can cause damage
to the kidneys, nervous system, and brain. Children
have suffered permanent brain damage. Children
with lead poisoning usually do not look or act
sick. The symptoms of lead poisoning include
tiredness, sleeplessness, stomach ache and vomiting.
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Source of Risk: Approximately
24 million housing units in the United States
have deteriorated lead paint and elevated levels
of lead-contaminated house dust. More than 4
million of these dwellings are homes or occupied
by one or more young children
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Typical
locations for which lead paint may be found
are...
• window frames and sills
• doors, door jambs and thresholds
• trim and siding
• kitchen cabinets
• painted children's furniture
• baseboards |
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Call Sherlock
to have one of our team
assess your property for lead paint issues
800 590 6653
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Typical locations for
lead-contaminated soil are...
• around the foundation
• unpaved pathways
• under windows or walls with peeling
or chipping paint
Where Found: Homes
and buildings constructed before 1978 have lead-based
paint. Lead can be found inside and outside
of the property. Dust, windows, windowsills,
doors, doorframes, stairs, railings, banisters,
porches and fences are sources of paint chips
and dust.
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You should consider
testing for lead if there are children in your
home or building you own and...
• the property was built before 1978,
or
• the property is near a freeway or busy
roadway where leaded gasoline and its exhaust
may have polluted the soil with lead.
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If
your property was built before 1978, it is especially
important to test for lead if...
• you have peeling or chipping paint;
• you have bare soil in the yard where children
play;
• you plan to repaint, remodel or renovate;
• a child living in the property has had a blood
lead test result of 10 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dl)
or higher; or
• your property was built before 1950 -- such
building almost always have some lead-based paint.
If
you are buying or renting...
Federal laws require the seller to give you an informational
pamphlet and to tell you about any known lead hazards
in the home. (These federal laws also give home buyers
10 days to inspect for lead. The law does not require
landlords to allow a renter to inspect for lead.)
For
more information contact the National Lead Information
Center at 1-800-424-LEAD for information and materials
about real estate disclosure laws and for the EPA
pamphlet Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home.
Where should I test for lead?
The most important areas to test for lead are those
areas where children spend a lot of time, such as
bedrooms, playrooms, kitchens, and play-yards. It
is especially important to test these areas if there
is bare soil or if paint is peeling or chipping. You
should also test places where you plan to repaint
or remodel.
Call
Sherlock today to do lead paint testing
Call 800 590 6653 
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