Fumes or dust can become airborne and be inhaled. Further, dust can settle on floors, walls, and tables, and can cause problems. Lead-based paint should be removed only by professionals, trained in hazardous material removal, who follow detailed procedures to control and contain lead dust. Lead-based paint may be found on any interior or exterior surface in an older home, particularly on woodwork, doors, and windows. Lead-based paint is a major source of lead poisoning for children and can also affect adults.
Lead poisoning can cause brain damage and can result in impaired mental functions.
Lead poisoning in children can result in retarded mental and physical development and reduced attention span. Lead poisoning may also increase the blood pressure in adults. Retarded fetal development can occur at even low blood lead levels. Thus, unborn children, infants, young children, and adults with high blood pressure have been identified as being most vulnerable to the effects of lead. Consumers themselves cannot tell whether their paint contains lead.