In homes built before 1978, lead was used in many of the materials and paint to create these homes. After years of research and learning what lead can do to your body we now know that being exposed to lead in the form of dust or other forms is dangerous. Unfortunately, this lead contamination is something that owners of pre-1978 homes have to deal with whenever they make a change or remodel their homes.
Exactly How Does Lead Contamination Affect the Body?
When it’s time to remodel your home or put in new windows the changes to the house disturb items contaminated with lead and also creates dust from the cutting and the moving. This dust gets into the body and can cause anemia, stunted growth, and brain damage for children that come in contact with it.
For adults, it can cause damage to the kidneys, the heart, the nervous system, and the reproductive system. Lead contamination is especially harmful to pregnant women as it affects both the mother and the unborn child.
Is There Any Way to Prevent Lead Dust from Being Spread?
Yes, lead dust can be contained while working on a home. But, it is best to let a professional that is Lead-Safe Certified handle the job. Before the project, these professionals will educate you on the dangers of lead dust, how it pertains specifically to your project, and they will post signs around the project to warn others of the contamination danger.
During the project, they keep the job contained so that there is no risk of exposure to anyone in your home or outside around the project. Once they have completed the project they thoroughly clean the area and remove any leftover lead dust.
Where Do I Find a Lead-Safe Certified Professional?
All professionals that work with these types of homes are required by the Environmental Protection Agency to be Lead-Safe Certified. Sadly, there are many that don’t comply and perform the work anyway, putting your family at risk. You can tell if a company is Lead-Safe Certified by looking for the logo on their website or by checking with the Environmental Protection Agency.
Renewal by Andersen is Lead-Safe Certified and our customers never have to worry about the health of their family when we replace their windows. We educate our clients about the potential dangers of the renovation, and we take extra care in making sure that there is no exposure to the people that are living in the house.
