If you are renovating your home, you’ll definitely look forward to painting your home. You need to be aware that while scrapping the old paint, a higher amount of lead is released.
Lead is a heavy metal and it is harmful if found in high concentrations in the body. It is observed that it affects our brain and central nervous system.
Now we’ll get this question How long does lead dust stay in the air?
According to the study, about 90% of Lead particles settle within one hour after the active abatement. Lead particles when released into the air are carried away by the wind and contaminate water and soil.
In this post, we’ll walk you through sources of lead contamination, how long stays in the air, preventive measures, and furthermore on lead poisoning. Without further ado let’s get started.
Sources of Lead In The Air:
Before 1978, lead was used in paints for two main reasons, one of the reasons is, that paints with lead helped to cover the wall surface completely.
Another reason is they proved to be long-lasting when compared with paints without lead.
Later, it was found that paints with lead are harmful to our health, then the federal government banned using lead in paints.
Leaded gasoline was used in Motor-vehicles and the emissions from these vehicles were one of the sources of lead contamination in the air.
The usage of leaded gasoline was banned in 1996 by the United States.
The major sources of lead in the air are Ore and metal processing, especially from lead smelters. And also Aircraft with Piston engines are operating on leaded aviation gasoline.
Lead is also released into the air during the processing of ore, the lead smelting process, and the manufacturing of lead-acid batteries are some sources of lead contamination into the air.
How Long Does Lead Dust Stay In The Air?
Lead is released into the air in higher amounts during the process of Lead smelting and shooting of bullets.
During the shooting of bullets, fine particles of lead are released into the air. These fine dust particles can stay in the air for about a few hours.
A study was conducted to know how long lead stays in the air during the abatement of lead-based paint. It was found that lead stays in the air for about one hour and then gets settled on the floor.
These particles settle on the furniture and Window sills, which can easily come in contact with human hands.
How Much Lead Is Harmful?
We cannot clearly define the concentration of lead that is harmful to the body.
Lead in any level of concentration in the body is considered to be unsafe as lead causes irreversible neurological damage in the body.
If the concentration of lead in blood is 5 mcg/dL in children, it is considered to be unsafe for the children. Children are tested periodically.
If the lead concentration becomes too high 45 mcg/dL or more, then the children should be treated.
Similarly, if the concentration of lead in blood is 80 mcg/dL or more in adults, it is considered to be high level and treatment should be provided.
That’s the reason, if you suspect lead inhalation then your body must be tested for lead levels immediately.
How can lead pollution be reduced?
Lead pollution in the room can be reduced by using a HEPA Air purifier.
This HEPA Air purifier cleans the contaminated air by capturing the lead dust particles, odors, and other airborne particles and releases the cleaned and healthy air into the room.
Air purifier traps contaminants especially lead into the HEPA filters and releases lead-free air in the room.
You can also reduce lead pollution by taking self-care and special care of children by following the below-mentioned pointers.
- Wash your hands and face before you eat or drink as ingestion is one of the routes of lead entry into our body.
- Wash your children’s hands and toys as they had a habit of keeping their hands in their mouths.
- Clean your floors and furniture regularly to remove any build-up of contaminated lead dust.
- Window sills must be cleaned regularly as the dust settles on them.
- Eat healthy food to prevent the absorption of lead in the body.
How Do I Know If I Have Lead In My Body?
The lead concentration in your body can be confirmed by performing a simple blood test.
For this test, the blood sample is taken from your body and it is examined for lead concentration.
It is recommended to perform this blood test regularly if you work in an area where lead fumes are released into the air.
As lead builds up in your body if ignored in the initial stage, this might end up with lead poisoning in the body.
Lead is absorbed more actively by children’s bodies than adults. So it is considered to protect children from ingesting lead into their bodies.
Lead Poisoning:
Lead exposure on a regular basis over months and years builds up in the body. This condition of the high amount of lead in the body is called Lead Poisoning.
Children are at high risk of lead poisoning as they are exposed to different sources of lead such as contaminated soil, water, and toys among others.
You may find symptoms of Lead poisoning are different in children and adults.
Symptoms of Lead Poisoning in Children:
If the concentration of lead in children’s bodies is 45 mcg/dL or more then you may find the symptoms in the body.
Children under 6 years of age are at high risk for their health as their body shows rapid growth and development.
Symptoms of lead poisoning in children are:
- Delay in the development of the body
- Finding difficulties in learning
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Hearing loss
- Seizures
- Eating things, such as paint chips
Symptoms of Lead Poisoning in Adults:
Adults when exposed to a high level of lead 80 mcg/dL or more, treatment should be initiated and symptoms of lead poisoning are observed at this level.
Symptoms of lead poisoning in Adults are:
- High blood pressure
- Joint and muscle pain
- Difficulties with memory or concentration
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Mood disorders
- Reduced sperm count and abnormal sperm
- Miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature birth in pregnant women
Conclusion:
Lead dust in the air is not a good sign for your and your family’s health. Lead dust is either ingested or inhaled in the body if it is present in the air.
Lead dust stays for about an hour in the air during the lead abatement process. And if it is fine dust then it stays for a few hours.
You need to either alleviate or remove lead from the air by using a HEPA Air purifier. Or you need to follow preventive guidelines to prevent lead poisoning.
Hope we answered your question “How long does lead dust stay in the air”.
Please share this information with your friends and loved ones.
