Lead – Creating Awareness
Lead Poisoning Prevention is Better than Cure
When I first began assessing buildings for health hazards, I was dumbfounded to discover leadlighting (aka stained glass in the US) still used lead. Yes, despite the known risks, lead is still used for leadlighting!
![leadlight (1)](https://ecohealthsolutions.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/leadlight-1.png)
My concerns:
- Anyone creating leadlight glass products would have a higher than usual exposure to lead
- Many houses have leadlighting throughout, especially the “Golden Age” homes – so these doors and windows are quite accessible to children and pets
- As well, older leadlighting can begin to break down, so lead levels in house dust can be elevated
Lead tastes sweet (so I am told!) – which is why so many children suck on paint chips.
Recently I created three images for the Volcano Art Prize – run by LeadSafeWorld.
“Test Your Soil”
Lead can easily contaminate our soil – from traffic dust, breaking down paints, and even through the water (lead-based solders, or water collected from a roof that has lead flashing).
Message: if you are planning a veggie garden or a chook run, it is recommended that you have the soil tested first.
![Curran, Lucinda TEST YOUR SOIL Volcano Art Prize](https://ecohealthsolutions.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Curran-Lucinda-TEST-YOUR-SOIL-Volcano-Art-Prize.png)
A very fashionable paint look at the moment is the “distressed look.” More often than not, this is deliberately done. However, peeling paint on older buildings very likely contains lead – and then sanding is definitely not recommended.
Message: if you have an older building, either test the paint for lead OR encapsulate it by adding layers of paint and be sure never to sand it.
![Curran, Lucinda DISTRESSED Volcano Art Prize](https://ecohealthsolutions.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Curran-Lucinda-DISTRESSED-Volcano-Art-Prize.png)
This image was designed to help people remember that lead dust, amongst many other contaminants may be found in the roof/ceiling void.
Message: Before any renovation, even the installation of downlights, have a member of the Australian Dust Removalists Association (ADRA) remove the dust from your ceiling void safely.
![Curran, Lucinda LOOK UP! Volcano Art Prize](https://ecohealthsolutions.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Curran-Lucinda-LOOK-UP-Volcano-Art-Prize.png)
Please help create awareness. Lead poisoning is not as uncommon as it should be.
If you have any concerns – please feel free to get in touch.
#lead #leadpoisoning #testforlead