Lead poisoning a hidden danger of do-it-yourself

By CATHERINE MASTERS

Poisoning from lead-based paint in the home is a big problem.

Ramu Beesabathini, a health protection officer from the Auckland District Health Board's public health division, says the region has 12 to 15 cases a year, but under-reporting is rife.

That is partly because symptoms are non-specific and people may not realise anything is wrong for several weeks.

"People initially take care of what they are doing but later on they become lax about it, especially in summer.

"If it gets too hot they simply don't bother wearing gloves and masks," he says.

"They think, 'it's all right, it's not happening to me, I'm feeling all right.'

"But the problem with lead poisoning is you won't notice any immediate symptoms.

"It could be four to five weeks before they notice any changes in their body and by that time it will be too late."

He says 90 per cent of cases are caused by exposure to lead during home renovations.

Renovations often go on for months, and even a little exposure to lead dust when sanding walls can be extremely harmful.

But children and pregnant women are the main worry.

"Children, even with minute exposure, get elevated blood lead levels," says Mr Beesabathini.

"We come across instances where children have high blood levels even after playing with toys exposed to lead dust."

In a child, exposure to lead can cause learning problems and in a pregnant woman it can affect development of the foetus.

Mr Beesabathini says pregnant women and children should move out of the house until renovations are complete.



"With the sanding, there's so much dust ... it's very difficult to prevent exposure if they live in the same house."

Pets can also be poisoned. And they can get lead dust in their fur and children playing with them can become ill.

Symptoms depend on the concentration of lead in the body, and can be confused with other conditions such as mood change, memory impairment, sleep disturbance, difficulty in concentrating and headaches.

Lead poisoning may lead to muscle weakness, lack of appetite, nausea, diarrhoea or constipation.

It can kill, but deaths are rare.

Adults are advised to take precautions such as wet-wiping the furniture and floors, and covering floors with a drop sheet.

You must also use the correct type of mask - and keep wearing it even if it becomes uncomfortable.

Other people who need to be careful are shooters who use indoor ranges.

Lead dust can build up and the shooters are exposed by inhaling fumes.

* Public health division staff will give advice and can provide a booklet of recommendations. They will also visit homes where there may be problems. Telephone Auckland Public Health on (09) 262-1855.

Protecting children and their pets


* tKeep an eye on your pets - they often show symptoms of lead poisoning more quickly than people.

* Be careful when allowing children to hug pets; they may have lead dust in their fur.

* Watch out for old paint flakes inside and out. Children and pets like the taste of the paint and sometimes eat it.

* Beware of paints used in homes built before 1980. Even if a building has been painted recently, the layers of paint underneath may be lead-based.

* If you think you or your child may have been exposed to lead, ask your doctor to check blood lead levels.

* Children and pregnant women are advised to move out of the house while it is being renovated.

Links


The OPPT Lead page

Coalition to end childhood lead poisoning.