Lead Information Package - Some Commonly Asked Questions About Lead and Human Health

Sources of Exposure (continued)

Indoor Environments

• How does lead get into my home?
• Should I be concerned about household dust contaminated by lead?
• What types of workplace environments are potentially dangerous sources of lead exposure?
• How can I determine if the sources of lead in my home contain harmful levels?
• Why was lead used in paints?
• How do I know if my home contains lead-based paint?
• How can I determine if there are dangerous levels of lead in paints used in my home?
• What should I do about lead-based paint in my home?
• Why is mechanically removing leaded paint a problem?
• How can I safely remove leaded paint?
• How can lead contaminate food?

How does lead get into my home?

Lead dust can cling to skin, hair, shoes, clothing and vehicles and can be carried indoors. Studies suggest that lead dust is also generated within the home from, for example, lead-based paints. In some homes, this may result in a significantly greater concentration of lead in household dust than in nearby outdoor soil and dust. Airborne lead dust settles on food, water, clothing and other objects and may subsequently be ingested.

Should I be concerned about household dust contaminated by lead?

Babies and small children can be exposed to lead because they can ingest household dust through their tendency to mouth or chew objects they come into contact with. Additionally, young children are more at risk because their breathing zone is close to floor level and because they breathe in more air per unit body weight than adults.

What types of workplace environments are potentially dangerous sources of lead exposure?

Workers in smelters, refineries, and other industries that use lead may be exposed to high levels of lead. For example, the recycling of automotive batteries, which are crushed and melted down, can release lead into the work environment. The families of people working in these industries, may be exposed to high levels of lead from workers' clothing and equipment

In Canada, most provincial governments require employers to monitor workers' exposure to lead in the workplace. If you have concerns, you should contact your employer's Workplace Health or Occupational Safety representative.

How can I determine if the sources of lead in my home contain harmful levels?

The best source to help you to evaluate the levels of lead in your home is a local public health inspector or environmental health officer.

Leaded Paint

Why was lead used in paints?

Lead was used to make paints dry quickly, wear well and to make colors vibrant. The soft, gray metal makes an excellent white pigment. Paint made with white lead pigment provides a high-quality, durable protective coating. The amount and kind of lead vary in different types of paint.
How is lead in paint now regulated?

The Liquid Coating Materials Regulations were enacted under the Hazardous Products Act in 1976 to restrict the lead content of paints and other liquid coatings on furniture, household products, children's products, and exterior and interior surfaces of any building frequented by children to 0.5% by weight. The Canadian Paint and Coatings Association (CPCA), the national trade association for Canada's paint manufacturers, recommended that the Canadian paint industry voluntarily stop using any lead compounds in consumer paints by the end of 1990. Over the years, the amount of lead in paint has continued to decrease, due to the co-operative efforts of government and industry. Regulations to decrease the amount of lead in paints and other liquid coating materials to 0.06% by weight are expected to be in place by the end of 2002.

How do I know if my home contains lead-based paint?

Paints made before 1950 contained large amounts of lead. In fact, some paint made in the 1940s contained up to 50% lead by dry weight. If your home was built before 1960, it was likely painted with lead-based paint. Since the 1950's, the use of lead has been more common in exterior paint than interior paint. Subsequently, the use of lead in paints decreased significantly. Currently, under the Hazardous Products Act, lead levels in indoor paint are limited to 0.5 per cent by weight. There are proposed regulatory changes for both interior and exterior consumer paints to limit lead in paints to 0.06 per cent by dry weight. In homes built after 1980, there is little need for concern about lead levels in interior paints. All post-1992 consumer paint produced in Canada or the US for indoor use is virtually lead-free.

How can I determine if there are dangerous levels of lead in paints used in my home?

You can determine the level of lead in your paint by scientific testing. Some large Canadian cities have contractors using X-ray fluorescence equipment to sense for lead on surfaces. Alternatively, the paint can be analyzed at a laboratory certified by the Standards Council of Canada (613-238-3222) or the Canadian Association for Environmental Analytical Laboratories. (613-233-5300).

What should I do about lead-based paint in my home?

Lead-based paint doesn't present a health hazard as long as it is not chipping or flaking and it isn't located where it can be chewed by young children (window sills, cribs, etc.). Removing the paint can often result in a more immediate hazard than simply leaving the painted area intact. A good option for dealing with lead-based paint is encapsulation, that is, covering the surface with vinyl wallpaper, wallboard or paneling. In areas out of children's reach, applying a few layers of non-leaded paint to intact surfaces will help. Other good options include replacement and chemical removal. Mechanical removal (e.g., sanding) should be avoided, especially when there are high levels of lead in the paint.

Why is mechanically removing leaded paint a problem?

Mechanically removing or disturbing old lead-based paint can release high levels of leaded dust into the air that can be breathed in or deposited around the home. Removal methods such as sanding sends a cloud of paint dust and scatters paint chips through the whole house. The dust can contaminate the air and any exposed surfaces, including food. Removal methods involving heat guns and blowlamps vaporize the paint, filling the air with leaded fumes. All these processes contribute to buildup of lead throughout the environment.

How can I safely remove leaded paint?

For paint on doors or trim, have the wood stripped offsite, either professionally or outside in a well-ventilated space. For walls, ceilings or immovable trim, chemical strippers may be the best solution. Application strippers (paste applied with a brush) are best. All chemical paint strippers contain potentially harmful substances, so take care when using them. Alternatively, there are some very effective dust-collecting sanders or media blasters (e.g. plastic bead blasting) that are available on the market. Only use these products if they guarantee a dust-free work environment.

Food

How can lead contaminate food?

Lead is everywhere in the environment and as a result, it is present in trace amounts in virtually all the foods we eat. In addition to naturally occurring lead, food can be contaminated from several sources.

Lead dust on crops

Airborne lead dust can fall onto food crops or into soil from where it is absorbed into plants.

Lead solder and canned foods

The use of lead-soldered food cans has been virtually eliminated through a agreement negotiated with Canadian canneries. However, some imported foods are still packaged in lead soldered cans.

Lead shot in game hunting

There is concern about the use of lead shot in game hunting, particularly in communities which consume game regularly, such as those in northern regions. People can be exposed to lead when they eat animals hunted with lead shot, breathe in lead fumes at shooting ranges, or when lead shot is manufactured at home. Lead shot and lead fishing jigs and sinkers also are an environmental hazard. Lost lead shot, jigs and sinkers add lead to Canada's natural environment each year.

Leaded crystal

Leaded crystal is widely used for serving beverages. When the crystal comes in contact with beverages, especially acidic beverages such as port, wine, fruit juices and soft drinks, some lead dissolves into the liquid. The amount of lead that dissolves depends on the lead content of the crystal, the type of beverage and the length of time they are in contact with each other. Over the course of a meal, the amount of lead dissolved is very small (well below 200 parts per billion), but beverages stored in crystal decanters can accumulate very high levels of lead. Scientists have found lead concentrations of up to 20 parts per million (ppm) in wines kept for weeks in crystal containers. Under the Food and Drugs Act, the maximum allowable lead concentration in Canadian beverages is 200 parts per billion.

To avoid exposure to high lead levels, do not store any beverage in crystal decanters for extended periods of time. Decanters should only be used for serving. Some of the surface lead can be removed from new crystal by soaking it in vinegar for 24 hours and thoroughly rinsing it. Do not wash crystal in the dishwasher as harsh detergents can increase the release of lead. Do not serve pregnant women or children drinks in crystal glasses.

Ceramic ware pottery

Poorly-fired ceramic ware with a lead-based glaze can release lead into food (particularly acidic foods such as fruit juices, tomato sauces, etc). Under the Regulations of the Hazardous Products Act, leechable or releasable lead from ceramic foodware is limited to 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0 mg/L, depending on the type and size of the ceramic ware. Lead exposure may occur, however, with pottery bought as souvenirs in foreign countries. This pottery can be a significant health hazard and should not be used for serving food.