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Lead Poisoning Sources
The major source of lead exposure among U.S. children is
lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust found in deteriorating
buildings. Lead-based paints were banned for use in housing
in 1978. However, approximately 24 million housing units in
the United States have deteriorated leaded paint and elevated
levels of lead-contaminated house dust. More than 4 million
of these dwellings are homes to one or more young children.
Other sources of lead poisoning are related to:
- hobbies (making stained-glass windows)
- work (recycling or making automobile batteries)
- drinking water (lead pipes, solder, brass fixtures,
- valves can all leach lead)
- home health remedies (arzacon and greta, which are used
for upset stomach or indigestion; pay-loo-ah, which is used
for rash or fever).
Leaded paint naturally erodes to create a chalky dust
and begins to chip and flake away from painted surfaces.
The deteriorated leaded paint becomes part of the house
dust and is inhaled by young children. This is the reason
why those responsible for property management and maintenance,
like building owners, have a legal responsibility to keep
their property free of chipping and peeling paint.
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