It’s that time of year again…SPRING! Open your windows and doors and let that sunshine and fresh air in!
Be mindful though of the presence of paint chips and dust that may have settled in your window sills and wells, especially if you reside in an older home. Household paint used prior to 1978 contained lead. Lead is a toxic metal that when disturbed can cause harmful effects, especially in children. The lead chips and dust that is generated from the routine opening and closing of windows and doors can loosen lead-based paint causing paint chips to detach and dust to be released into the air. Young children crawl and play on the floor and are prone to putting their hands and toys in their mouths. Because the dust settles on the floor and other objects in the home, they run a higher risk of ingesting lead and becoming poisoned.
Lead-based paint in good condition is usually not harmful. If not in good condition, the best practice to clean floors and other areas in your home that are more likely to gather lead dust, such as windows, stair treads, doors, and door frames, is to practice wet cleaning. Use a mop or sponge with warm water and a general all-purpose cleaner. Do not sweep or use a dry cloth or duster as this will scatter dust throughout the air.
For more information on how to clean your home to prevent lead poisoning, visit https://www.epa.gov/lead/how-make-your-home-lead-safe or call the Cayuga County Health Department at (315) 253-1560.
Original source can be found here.
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