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Sunday, April 4, 2010

What is LEAD-BASED Paint?

Federal standards define lead-based paint as:

• Any paint or surface coating that contain lead equal to or in excess of 1.0 milligram per square centimeter or more than 0.5 percent by weight. Oregon and Washington are the same.


Why was it added to paint? So it could increase its color and durability. Lead was also added to some other surface coatings, such as varnish and stains. The peak use of lead in household paints was about the mid 1930’s. Lead-based paint was in more than 30 million homes until it was banned for residential use in 1978. It is the primary source of lead-contaminated dust in housing. Projects that disturb lead based paint can create dust and endanger workers and residents.

Lead is not just in paint. Over the centuries lead became essential in manufacturing, ammunition, batteries, chemical compounds, explosives, glassware, metal products and gasoline.


There is just one problem with lead; It's TOXIC


About half of the homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. The likelihood of finding lead-based paint increases with the age of the home.

• Two out of three homes built between 1940 and 1960 have lead-based paint.
• Nine out of ten homes built before 1940 have lead-based paint.

Contact the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323) for more information about these sources. For more information on Lead-Based Training visit: Safety Training Works, Inc.








In the next blog we will be discussing How Does Lead Enter The Body? If you would like to learn something specific to your needs, please e-mail valerie@safetytrainingworks.com.

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