PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM LEAD IN YOUR HOME
Published by EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) it is a valuable source for information for both, Landlords and Tenants.
Many houses built before 1978 have paint that contains high levels of lead. Lead from paint, chips, and dust can pose serious health hazards if not taken care of properly.
Owners, buyers, and renters are encouraged to check for lead before renting, buying, or renovating pre 1978 housing. Please find attached EPA's pamphlet for more information.
http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadpdfe.pdf
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A FREE GUIDE "MOLD, MOISTURE, AND YOUR HOME"
Information regarding mold and how to prevent it
http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.html
Introduction to Molds
Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods. When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
Basic Mold Cleanup
The key to mold control is moisture control. It is important to dry water damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. If mold is a problem in your home, clean up the mold and get rid of the excess water or moisture. Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water. Wash mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. Absorbent materials (such as ceiling tiles & carpet) that become moldy may have to be replaced.
Ten Things You Should Know About Mold
Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.
There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60% ) to decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.
Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.
Asthma and Mold
Molds can trigger asthma episodes in sensitive individuals with asthma. People with asthma should avoid contact with or exposure to molds.
EPA's Asthma web site http://www.epa.gov/asthma/index.html
Additional Resources:
- Allergy & Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics (AAN/MA): (800) 878-4403;
- American Lung Association: 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872);
- Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation "Fighting Mold - The Homeowner's Guide"
www.njc.org http://www.njc.org http://www.epa.gov/epahome/exitepa.htm
LEAD POISONING INFORMATION
Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Lead poisoning occurs when lead builds up in the body, often over a period of months or years. Even small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems. Children under the age of 6 are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning, which can severely affect mental and physical development. At very high levels, lead poisoning can be fatal.
Lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust in older buildings are the most common sources of lead poisoning in children. Other sources of lead poisoning include contaminated air, water, soil, and some toys and cosmetics. Although lead is still found widely in the environment, you can take a number of steps to help protect yourself and your family.
Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Initially, lead poisoning can be hard to detect - even people who seem healthy can have high blood levels of lead. Signs and symptoms usually don't appear until dangerous amounts have accumulated.
Although lead can affect almost every part of your body, it usually targets the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells (hemoglobin) first. In time, it attacks your nervous system.
Symptoms in children The signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in children may include:
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Sluggishness and fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Unusual paleness from anemia
- Learning difficulties
Symptoms in newborns Babies in the womb who are exposed to lead through their mothers may have:
- Learning difficulties
- Slowed growth
In some cases, these problems may persist beyond childhood.
Symptoms in adults Although children are primarily at risk, lead poisoning is also dangerous for adults. Even exposure to amounts of lead too low to cause symptoms in the short term may increase the risk of high blood pressure and mental decline in the future. Symptoms in adults may include:
- Pain, numbness or tingling of the extremities
- Muscular weakness
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Memory loss
- Mood disorders
- Reduced sperm count, abnormal sperm
- Miscarriage or premature birth in pregnant women
- Fatigue
Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
Lead is a metal that occurs naturally in the earth's crust, but human activity - mining, burning fossil fuels and manufacturing - has caused it to become more widespread. Lead was also once a key ingredient in paint and gasoline and is still used in batteries, solder, pipes, pottery, roofing materials and some cosmetics.
Sources of lead contamination include:
- Soil. Lead particles that settle on the soil from gasoline or paint can last for years. Lead-contaminated soil is still a major problem around highways and in some urban settings.
- Water. Lead pipes, brass plumbing fixtures and copper pipes soldered with lead can release lead particles into tap water.
- Lead paint. The use of lead-based paints for homes, children's toys and household furniture has been banned in the United States since 1978. But lead-based paint is still on walls and woodwork in many older homes and apartments. Most lead poisoning in children results from eating lead-based paint chips. Glazes found on ceramics, china and porcelain also can contain lead that leaches into food. Lead may be found in toys and other products produced abroad.
- Household dust. Household dust can contain lead from paint chips or soil brought in from outside.
- Some imported canned food. Although lead solder in food cans is banned in the United States, it's still used in some countries.
- Traditional remedies and cosmetics. Some cases of lead poisoning have been traced to the use of certain traditional medicines from India and other South Asian countries. Litargirio, a peach-colored powder popularly used in the Dominican Republic, contains very high levels of lead and should not be used. Kohl is a traditional cosmetic, often used as eyeliner. Testing of various samples of kohl has revealed high levels of lead.
More information about Lead Poisoning in Mayo Clinic's website at
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lead-poisoning/FL00068