PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM LEAD IN YOUR HOME: part one

PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM LEAD IN YOUR HOME: part one

If you are planning to buy, rent or renovate, many homes and apartments built before 1978, have high levels of lead based paint. Lead from paint, chips and dust, can pose serious health hazards if not dealt with properly, and should not be taken lightly.

OWNERS, RENTERS AND BUYERS, are strongly encouraged to check for lead before renting, buying or renovating any pre-1978 housing.

LANDLORDS, are required to disclose in the lease, any known information about lead based paint & hazards, before the leases take affect.

SELLERS, likewise, have to disclose any known information on lead based paint, before selling a house. Sales contracts must include such a disclosure. Buyers have up to 10 days to check for lead.

RENOVATORS, who will be disturbing more than 2 square feet of painted surfaces, are required to provide you with a lead base paint pamphlet, from the EPA, before starting work.

IMPORTANT, LEAD FROM NOT ONLY PAINT, BUT ALSO DUST AND SOIL, CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IF NOT MANAGED PROPERLY:

FACT: Lead exposure can harm young children and babies even before they are born.

FACT: Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies.

FACT: People can absorb lead in their bodies by breathing or swallowing lead dust, or by eating soil or paint chips containing lead.

FACT: People have many options for reducing lead hazards. In most cases, lead based paint that has not been disturbed and is in good condition,

           is not a hazard.

FACT: Removing lead based paint improperly can increase the danger to your family.

LEAD GETS INTO THE HUMAN BODY IN MANY WAYS:
>Breathing in lead dust, especially during renovations.
>Putting hands or other objects that may be covered with lead dust in their mouths.
>Eating paint chips or soil that contains lead.

 CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING REMAINS A MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM IN THE U.S. ESPECIALLY TO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF SIX:
> At this age, children's brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.
> Children's growing bodies absorb more lead.
> Babies and young children often put their hands and other objects, which can have lead dust on them, into their mouths.

LEAD IS ALSO ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS TO WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE:
> Women with a high lead level in their system prior to pregnancy, would expose a developing fetus to lead.

Reminder: Lead based paint was declared illegal in 1978, after which, paint no longer contained lead. If your home or apartment was built after 1978, you need not worry about the effects of lead. 
check our blogs #2 AND #3, coming up in the next weeks, for additional information.

For all your Real Estate and Insurance needs and helpful hints, contact LEGACY  REALTY GROUP, "The new star in town", Edison, New Jersey 732.744.0400.