Lead Paint - Why Is It So Dangerous?

Lead gets into the body when it is swallowed or inhaled. People,especially children, tend to swallow lead dust as they eat, play, and do other normal hand-to-mouth activities. Many individuals may also breathe in lead dust or fumes if they disturb lead-based paint. If you sand, scrape, burn, brush, blast or otherwise disturb lead-based paint risk unsafe exposure to lead.

Lead Paint is especially dangerous to children under 6 years of age. Lead can affect children’s brains and developing nervous systems, causing:

• Reduced IQ and learning disabilities.
• Behavioral problems. Even children who appear healthy can have dangerous levels of lead in their bodies. Lead is also harmful to adults. In adults, low levels of
lead can pose many dangers, including:
• High blood pressure and hypertension is another result.
• Pregnant women exposed to lead can transfer lead to their unborn baby.