Health Effects of Lead
Lead affects the body in many ways. It is important to know that even exposure to low levels of lead can severely harm children. In children, exposure to lead can cause:
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• Nervous system and kidney damage
• Learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, and decreased intelligence
• Speech, language, and behavior problems
• Poor muscle coordination
• Decreased muscle and bone growth
• Hearing damage While low-lead exposure is most common, exposure to high amounts of lead can have devastating effects on children, including seizures, unconsciousness, and, in some cases, death. Although children are especially susceptible to lead exposure, lead can be dangerous for adults, too. In adults, exposure to lead can cause:
• Harm to a developing fetus
• Increased chance of high blood pressure during pregnancy
• Fertility problems (in men and women)
• High blood pressure
• Digestive problems
• Nerve disorders
• Memory and concentration problems
• Muscle and joint pain
Are you planning to buy a home built before 1978?
Did you know that many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint? Lead from paint, chips, and dust can pose serious health hazards.
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Before renting or buying a pre-1978 home or apartment, federal law requires:
• Sellers must disclose known information on lead-based paint or lead based paint hazards before selling a house.
• Real estate sales contracts must include a specific warning statement about lead-based paint. Buyers have up to 10 days to check for lead.
• Landlords must disclose known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before leases take effect. Leases must include a specific warning statement about lead-based paint.
How does lead enter water?
Lead enters drinking water through plumbing fixtures and soldered joints that contain the toxic metal lead. The most significant potential source of lead contamination is lead water supply lines. These are the water lines running throughout the city, often from the city water pipes directly into homes, typically entering basements up through the floor.
