Lead paint was widely used in houses up until it was banned. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) officially banned the product in 1978, but it did not eliminate the risk of lead poisoning because many homes still contained lead based paint. If you currently live in an old home, then you may be exposed to this toxic metal.
People are commonly exposed to lead paint in old homes because of dust. Old paint deteriorates over times and floats in the air as dust. Also, renovating old homes can cause large amounts of dust to be created. People who are working on their houses should always use the best safety equipment and follow best practices. Finally, old paints chips are pose a serious risk to children, especially infants. In some cases, infants may be poisoned after picking up and eating paint chips.