HEALTHY HOME
7474 WDDTYWDDTY | ISSUE 01 | AUG/SEP 2019| JUNE 2019 FACEBOOK.COM/WDDTYAUNZ
The truth about... lead
Is this toxic metal lurking in your home? Here’s what you need to know
WHAT IS IT?
Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal found in the earth’s crust. Its high density, low
melting point, malleability and low cost have made it the metal of choice for numerous
applications, from bullets to batteries. But it’s also highly toxic, and its widespread use means
it’s commonly found in the environment and our homes. WHAT CAN YOU
DO ABOUT IT?
All homes can
potentially contain
lead, whether it’s
from indoor or
outdoor sources.
According to US
research, 24 million
American homes
contain deteriorated
lead-based paint and
elevated levels of
contaminated house
dust.^6 The good news
is that there’s plenty
you can do to make
your home lead-safe.
See opposite for our
top tips. WHERE CAN YOU FIND IT?
Although the use of lead has
been phased out of many
applications since the late
nineteenth century,
when evidence of
its toxic effects
first came
to light,
exposure
to lead
is still a
problem—
and not just
for people
who work with
the metal. If you
live in an old house,
you’ll probably have lead in
old layers of paint or varnish
(bans on lead in paint cameinto force in 1978 in the US
and 1992 in the UK), and your
water pipes might be made of
lead (meaning lead
will likely be in
your water
supply too).
Painted or
varnished
vintage
furniture,
glazed
ceramics,
cosmetics,
soil and
roofing materials
can also contain lead.
Household dust may contain
lead from a number of
different sources. WHAT’S WRONG WITH IT?
No human organ
is immune to lead
toxicity, which means
that it can cause a
wide spectrum of
health effects—from
heart problems and
hormone disruption
to brain and nerve
damage—even
at low levels of
exposure.^1
Indeed, the World
Health Organizationstates that there is
no known level of
lead exposure that is
considered safe.^2
Children are
especially vulnerable
to the effects of
lead. They can easily
inhale or ingest
lead-containing
dust or paint chips,
or may put lead-
coated objects in
their mouths. Andtheir growing bodies
absorb more lead
than adults. Lower
IQ, behavioral
problems, impaired
hearing and reduced
height have all been
linked to low-level
lead exposure in
children.^3
Pregnant women
are also particularly
at risk. Elevated
levels of lead inthe blood during
pregnancy have
been associated with
high blood pressure,
miscarriage,
preterm delivery,
low birth weight,
and developmental
disabilities in affected
babies.^4
Lead has also been
linked to reduced
rates of fertility.^5How to
reduce your
exposure
to lead
Test for lead
You can check for lead in old
paint, furniture and other
items in your home with a lead
testing kit such as those offered
by 3M and Abotex, available
online from Amazon and other
sites. Alternatively, ask your
local public health agency for
advice on how to get your
home tested professionally.
If you live in a home built
before the 1960s, it’s safe to
assume you have lead in your
paintwork.Detox
If you think you or a family
member may have been exposed
to worrying levels of lead, ask
your doctor for a blood test. If it
turns out the level is cause for
concern, there are numerous
ways to detox the body naturally,
such as taking supplements
like chlorella and spirulina. See
WDDTY April 2017 and December
2018 for advice, or consult a
qualified naturopath who can
devise a personalized
holistic detox
program.