Window Safety and Lead
Lead paint applied to old windows presents a potential problem for those concerned
about lead poisoning. Lead paint was used on millions of homes throughout the US
before it was banned for residential purposes by the Consumer Product Safety Commission
in 1978. However, by then, millions of windows coated with lead paint were in place.
Today, according to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), some
37 to 38 million homes still have lead paint in them -- about 40% of the US housing
stock.
Paint on windows must withstand exposure to sun, freeze/thaw cycles, moisture and
temperature differentials. Add to that the surface abrasion involved in the opening
and closing of operable windows, and it becomes clear why paint can chip and peel.
But it is when the abrasive actions produce a fine powder or dust that lead paint
becomes of most concern, especially to children, because the lead is not "locked"
into the paint.
Lead-contaminated household dust is a primary cause of childhood lead poisoning
in the US today—and one of the sources of lead dust is the friction involved in
the opening and shutting of pre-1978 lead-painted windows. Once the lead dust particles
develop, they are deposited on windowsills, on the floor, and on any other object
or toy that happens to be in the area. Once the lead dust gets on a child's fingers,
it usually doesn't take long for the fingers to end up in the young child's mouth,
which is when the lead gets ingested, potentially leading to lead poisoning.
A number of dust test kit products are available to consumers who want to know whether
or not they have a lead dust problem. The National Safety Council offers a dust
test kit both through its website Lead
and via a dedicated toll-free hotline service (1-866-528-3187).
Because old windows painted with lead paint can produce lead dust and lead paint
chips, window replacement is a highly recommended and cost-effective strategy to
reduce the risk of childhood lead poisoning in older homes. In a ddition to removing
a potential source of lead exposure, window replacement can also add significant
energy-savings benefits.
For information on how best to clean old painted windows, go to http://www.ci.mil.wi.us/citygov/health/lead/keep-kids-safe.html
For information on how to safely remove and/or repair old painted windows, go to
www.ci.mil.wi.us/citygov/health/lead/keep-kids-safe.html
For more information on lead poisoning and its prevention, go to
Lead Poisoning or
Lead
