University of Wisconsin - Extension

MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services has reported that lead poisoning has been detected in 28,000 children ages six and under in the state since January of 1998. Al Guyant, who works with the Department's lead program, points out that the numbers are probably much higher since many children are not tested. Lead poisoning is a particular problem for children since their bodies absorb lead more readily than adults and lead can do permanent damage to a child's developing nervous system including the brain. Mr. Guyant recalls a recent Kentucky case in which the poisoning victim was left with an IQ of 66.

Currently the primary source of lead poisoning is paint or varnish that contains lead. The sale of paint that contained lead was banned in 1978. Paint already in customer's hands may have been used on houses for a year or two after that. So houses built after 1980 are unlikely to contain hazardous paint or varnish. However, the majority of homes in Wisconsin were built before that time. In these homes at least some surfaces may be coated with lead-based paint. Houses built prior to 1940 almost certainly have lead-based paint on some surfaces. The hazardous paint is likely to be both on the inside and the outside. On the inside, it is most likely to be on baseboards, door and window trim and on the windows and doors themselves. It is much less likely to be on the walls. On the outside it may be on the trim, windows and doors but also on the walls.

Lead-based paint that is in good condition isn't an immediate hazard. It becomes a hazard when it deteriorates. At one time the concern was limited to paint that was flaking or chipping off. Pubic health experts now know that dust containing lead is also a problem. The dust can be created when two surfaces rub together, for example, a window moving as it is opened or closed. It can also be created as paint ages and its surface turns chalky.

If you have young children or have young visitors and live in a house built before 1980 you should take the possibility of lead poisoning seriously. Here are some things you can do.

1. If your children have not already been tested for lead poisoning, have them tested. For more about testing, contact your physician or local public health office.

2. Test suspected surfaces for lead. Pay special attention to windows, vertical surfaces that leave dust on your finger when you rub it across them and areas where paint is chipping or flaking. It is particularly important to test before you do remodeling work that will disturb potential lead-based paint. One survey showed that children in homes where remodeling had occurred had a 30 percent greater chance of lead poisoning than did children in homes where remodeling had not been done. For information on testing contact your local health department or use the contact information at the end of this article for the state Lead and Asbestos Section.

If you discover lead-based paint there are some temporary and some permanent solutions. Washing surfaces every other week with a cleaner recommended for use with lead-based paint, using a vacuum with a high efficiency filter known as a HEPA filter and painting over surfaces are all good short-term steps. A good paint job will protect the surface for four to ten years.

There are two permanent solutions to lead paint hazards: either remove them or cover them permanently. For example, cover exterior walls with new siding or interior walls with new wallboard. If you choose the removal route, consider hiring professional who have special training and equipment. For the names of contractors who are certified to work on lead-based paint hazards, check the web site and phone number listed at the end of this article.

If you are going to rent or buy a home and the home was built before 1978, the seller or landlord must give you a copy of "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home," which provides a variety of basic information about protecting your family from lead-paint hazards. If you plan on renting, you can check the Lead-Free/Lead-Safe Registry for homes that are certified not to have lead-based paint or which, if they have any lead-based paint, are certified to be safe. The registry can be found at the web site listed below and lists rental units that are either certified to be free of lead or to have all lead protected in such a way that it does not pose a hazard.

For information about lead testing, abatement contractors and for the Registry of lead safe units visit the web site of the Lead and Asbestos Section of the State Department of Health and Family Services at dhfs.wi.gov.lead or phone 608-261-6876. You will find a wealth of other information about lead-based paint safety there as well.

If you have a housing question, you may send it to John Merrill, 1300 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53705, or visit the UW-Extension housing web site at http://www.uwex.edu/house .