Lead-based paints were first introduced in the 1880s. They were termed one of the greatest innovations of that time. Lead was mixed with paint to make it more durable and help the colour dry faster. Moreover, adding lead to regular paint also made the colour more vibrant and pop out.
However, this great invention of the 19th century soon became a significant health hazard. People soon realised the harmful impact of lead on their physical, neurological, and psychological health. Although lead-based paints were banned entirely in New Zealand in the mid-1980s, some older buildings are still coated with this poisonous element, threatening the well-being of the people living there. If you are currently facing problems related to lead poisoning, it is essential to hire professional house painters in Auckland who are well-qualified to remove lead-based paints from residential and commercial buildings.
Are lead-Based Paints Really Dangerous?
Lead-based paints cause lead poisoning, leading to serious health problems. You may not experience issues immediately as an adult, but as years pass and the substance builds up in your body, you will start to witness its impact. If you are currently living in an old building, the chances of lead poisoning are higher.
After the word about the dangers of lead-based paints spread worldwide, most older buildings were repainted without removing the previous paint. Hence, lead-based paint residue is still present in many buildings, and there have been numerous instances where lead residue from the previous paint was inhaled or ingested by an individual, resulting in serious health issues.
Some studies have shown that when children accidentally inhale or ingest lead residue from the paint, they experience severe physical and neurological problems, indicating lead poisoning.
How does lead poisoning from paint affect an individual’s health?
Higher levels of lead in one’s body lead to the following health problems.
1. Problems in Reproductive Health:
Both males and females exposed to lead-based paint experience problems regarding reproductive health in different ways. Males may experience low libido and semen quality, whereas females may experience fertility issues, miscarriages, and complicated pregnancies. Moreover, the menstrual cycle of the female may also be altered due to the hormonal changes caused by lead exposure.
2. Anemia:
The red blood cells of our body are responsible for carrying oxygen in the body and give our blood its red colour. However, when you inhale or ingest lead for a long time, it reduces the production of red blood cells. What it does is it prevents the body from getting enough iron, which leads to low RBC production, which in turn leads to anemia.
3. Kidney Damage:
Kidney damage is also very common among people exposed to lead-based paint for quite some time. When lead is ingested for a long time, it accumulates in the kidney, which then causes various urinary problems.
4. Neurological Damages:
People may think that lead poisoning can’t be that bad! But in reality, it also can inflict severe neurological damage. Even if the child is exposed to low levels, they can face learning disabilities, low IQ, and serious behavioural changes.
If lead poisoning starts affecting your prefrontal cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum, one can also experience issues such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
5. Psychological Problems:
Lead poisoning is closely associated with psychological problems such as Schizophrenia. Moreover, numerous studies have shown that high levels of lead in the blood increase the chances of depression and bipolar disorder.
What are the symptoms of paint-based lead poisoning?
Lead poisoning affects individuals of all ages. However, it has grave consequences for children in their early years of growth. Parents with children below the age of 6 must practice extreme caution to protect their children from lead poisoning. However, before taking precautions, one must be able to identify its symptoms. Here are some symptoms that are closely associated with lead poisoning:
- Delayed growth
- Hearing problems
- Nausea and vomiting
- Severe headaches
- Hyperactivity
- Behavioural changes and learning difficulties
If you or your child face these symptoms for unexplained reasons, chances are it could be lead poisoning.
Conclusion
You are wrong if you think a lead-based paint layer underneath the current paint of your home’s walls won’t harm your family’s health. Just like there is no “safe limit” for asbestos, there is no safe limit for lead.
So what do you do? When you live in an old building or suspect your current building has lead-based paint, get it removed and the walls painted immediately. Be cautious because this is not a DIY project. Hire our expert lead-based paint removal professionals today and let them do the job for you!
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