Don’t Eat Lead
In 1978, contractors in the United States finally recognized the dangers of using lead-based paints. Although that especially toxic element made for a long-lasting paint job and lead-based paints were available in a bright array of colors that were fashionable in the 60’s and 70’s, it’s now thought of as best to lean away from those sorts of paints; in fact, it’s best to not just lean away from it, but to maybe start running full sprint. So what happens when the paint in your older home starts fading and/or chipping? You should just start stripping it right away, yeah?
Seriously? Did you eat paint chips as a kid?
That sort of job really needs to be left to the professionals. And hey, guess what? We’re as pro as they come. We’ll strip that lead away and leave you with a freshly painted wall, sans the toxic waste.
As a side note, don’t be concerned if you’re lead-based paint job is still in good condition; it’s only a worry if it’s starting to peel or chip. Of course, why wait for it to be hazardous before you finally remedy the situation?
You’ve got to be wondering at this point: why did we ever use lead in the first place? It was always a known toxin, right?
Well, obviously, the negative health effects weren’t fully understood. In the early 20th century, paint was commonly mixed with lead and other various forms of metal to prevent flaking while also easily fighting off the bleaching effects of the sun’s rays. It resists mildew and mold, is anti-corrosive (so stuff painted with lead can resist rust) and last but not least: the stuff is super cheap nowadays.
The thing is, even in small doses, the stuff is ghastly. It can cause reproductive problems in adults and when children come into contact with it, behavioral and learning problems may develop, among many others in the list of potential maladies. As early as the 18th century, Benjamin Franklin was warning others about the potential harms of lead ingestion (it was a common folk remedy in various doses and forms). In the 19th century, painters were known to advertise their various forms of lead-free paints, and then finally in 1978 it became illegal for more than .06% of the poisonous matter to be used in residential structures, hospitals and children’s structures. Although lead is still frequently used in various forms of paint, its use has been decreased dramatically. Most paint contains the much safer alternative: zinc.
If your home needs renovation to remove lead-based paint products, give Five Star Painting a call 1-866-965-STAR. We’d love to make your home a safer place.
