Lead Paint Hazards  

Lead is one of the heavy metals which is toxic and extremely hazardous the human health. In spite of the fact that the lead paints have been banned by the government, it is quite possible to find layers of this paint below the newly painted surfaces in schools, hospitals and residential buildings which were built before the ban was exercised. This is the reason why it is very important to conduct a lead paint inspection as after all your health is at stake and there are quite a few lead paint hazards.    

People are exposed to the lead paints as the paint tends to chip off and is converted into the lead dust which is spread widely in the atmosphere and can enter in the human body through breathing or even by settling on the food surface. This lead dust has a very detrimental effect on children in particular, as they are still developing and can cause long-term damage to the nervous system, delayed development, stunted growth and even emotional issues in adults and children. Also, kidney damage and side-effects on the other organ systems are also one of the serious lead paint hazards and lead paint is known to cause reproductive problems in women as well as men. It is a myth that the lead paint needs to be consumed in the form of lead paint chips so as to develop the lead poisoning, as the most common exposure occurs through the ingestion of the lead dust.  

The lead poisoning basically takes place when there is a lead built up in body for a prolonged period of time like months or even years  and it is a fact that even small quantities of this toxic substance are enough to cause serious health hazards. Especially, children below six years of age are vulnerable to the lead poisoning that can have a severe effect on their physical and mental development. The symptoms and signs of lead poisoning among children include loss of appetite, irritability, sluggishness and fatigue, weight loss, constipation, vomiting, abdominal pain, learning difficulties and unusual paleness because of anemia. Adults are also susceptible to the lead paint hazards like children. The exposure to lead even in small amounts may have short-term effects on adults like pain, muscular weakness, memory loss, headache, mood disorders, abdominal pain, fatigue etc. Serious lead paint hazards in adults the result in premature birth or a miscarriage in pregnant women, abnormal or reduced sperm count etc.   

It is because of the high risk and seriousness of the lead paint hazards that the government has issued a ban on the same. You can get more information about hazards caused by lead paint by referring to any relevant magazine or researching about the same on the Internet as there are a number of websites, articles and blogs dedicated to the subject. So, in a nutshell, short or prolonged exposure to lead paint is extremely hazardous to the health of children and adults alike.