Toxic Lead

If your home was built before 1978, when lead was banned from interior paints, you may be at increased risk of toxic lead exposure. Symptoms include nerve damage in adults and assorted neurological issues in children, including developmental delay, coordination deficits, speech disorders, hyperactivity, learning disabilities, and even brain damage. Home renovation, remodeling and repair work can release toxic lead dust into the air unless special precautions are taken. To protect US citizens, federal law requires that “contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb more than six square feet of paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be [Lead-Safe] certified and trained to follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.” (from www.epa.gov).