Lead
What are the Health risks?
Lead can enter human body by inhalation or ingestion. It can affect almost every organ and system in the body. The symptoms of lead exposure depend on how long and what amount is ingested or inhaled by children. As lead poisoning often occurs without obvious symptoms, it can go unrecognised.
Lead exposure in childhood can cause behaviour and attention problems, learning difficulties and cognitive losses. It may also affect physical growth, blood cell development and the functioning of the kidneys.
Lead ingested by pregnant women can pass through the placenta and affect babies.
Common sources
- Paint - Lead-based household paints were used before 1970 in Australia and is still used in some countries
- Dust - household dust may contain lead particles from deteriorating lead-based household paint, contaminated soil or dust brought into the house on your or your pets' feet
- Soil - dirt can become contaminated with lead by deteriorating or removed lead-based paint, and previous industrial activities and mining
- Water - Some old household pipes used to be soldered with lead. Rainwater from water tanks may have increased lead levels if lead-containing dust has contaminated the roof or guttering, or by leaching lead from the roof and pipes
- Lead may be found in the paint on some toys. While Australian standards limit the amount of lead permissible in materials used to make and paint children's toys, some imported toys may present a risk. A significant proportion of toys sold in Australia are imported from other countries.
Risk of exposure to lead
Can be from any of the following activities:-
- Renovating a house built before 1970.
- Hobbies - people can take lead residues into their homes on clothes, skin, hair and equipment after contact with lead in their work or in hobbies such as target shooting, making glazed pottery, stained glass, and making fishing sinkers.
- Occupations - such as mining and smelting.
How can you control the risks of exposure to lead?
- House renovation - Take care if renovating a house built before 1970. (see links below for useful leaflets)
- Pregnant women and young children should not be present while lead-based paint is being removed
- Old paint - Make sure your child does not have access to peeling or deteriorating paint or chewable surfaces painted with lead-based paint, such as old cots
- Soil and dirt - Move play areas away from bare soil and try to keep your child out of the dirt
Useful links
Government Bodies - State
Health
Website:
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/
environmental/lead.html
Website:
http://www.housing.nsw.gov.au/
Forms+Policies+and+Fact+Sheets/Policies/Lead+Paint+-+REP0950A.htm
Peak Bodies - National
Website:
http://www.environment.gov.au/atmosphere/
airquality/publications/pubs/leadpaint.pdf
Website: http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/chemicals/lead.html
Last Updated: Tuesday 11 October, 2011
