Lead is a naturally occurring substance that can be found in homes with old plumbing, peeling paint, or in areas that have had a lot of construction activity. While small amounts of lead are not harmful to humans, high levels can be. Lead can be found in paint, water pipes, and in some soil. If you have children or live in a rental, you may want to look into ways to reduce the amount of lead in your home. Reducing lead exposure will not only protect your family, but it will also help to prevent it from leaching into the surrounding soil and polluting your neighborhood. Here are some tips for reducing the amount of lead in your home:
One of the easiest ways to reduce the amount of lead in your home is to replace your faucets, showerheads, and old pipes with new ones. If you have old faucets and showerheads, they are the number one source of lead in your home. The EPA recommends replacing these items with low-lead or non-lead versions. Lead can also be found in pipes that are older than 50 years. If your home was built before 1986, you most likely have lead pipes. You can test your pipes to see if they contain lead. You can purchase a lead testing kit from a hardware store. You should replace these pipes if they contain lead.
If your home was painted before 1978, it may contain lead paint. Lead paint should never be scraped or sanded, and it should be covered with a new layer of paint once it peels. You can also cover other painted surfaces with a layer of plastic, paper, or cloth to prevent dust from getting into the paint and exposing you and your family to lead. You can also cover floors and other porous materials with plastic sheeting to prevent dust and dirt from getting into the paint and exposing you and your family to lead.
Your home water supply is another source of lead. You can reduce your exposure to lead by changing your water filter and showerhead filter. You can also use a water filter pitcher to reduce your exposure to lead. These filters are inexpensive and can be installed in your kitchen or bathroom. They filter out lead, bad taste, and bad smell from your water.
Food and dust can be a source of lead if it has been in contact with lead-based paint. If you use dishes or cookware that has been used in an old house, they may contain lead. You can reduce your exposure to lead by thoroughly cleaning your dishes and cookware before using them in your home. You can also purchase lead-free cookware and dishes.
Gardening and landscaping can expose you to lead if you are working in an area that has been contaminated with lead. If you have young children or live in an older home, you may want to proceed with caution when gardening or landscaping. You can reduce your exposure to lead by wearing gloves, gardening in a different part of the yard, or planting plants that do not attract a lot of insects.
Lead exposure can be harmful to your family’s health. It can be found in paint, water, and soil. You can reduce your exposure to lead by changing your faucets and showerheads, covering your painted surfaces, changing your water filter and showerhead filter, cleaning your dishes and cookware thoroughly, and proceeding with caution when gardening or landscaping.
Make it a habit to clean regularly. By being religious in your daily cleaning routine, you develop a sense of order and standards. Learn to remove items that are not essential especially if your space is tiny. Go for a minimalist yet functional approach at home to keep your place organized and clean.
A healthy home is where you can breathe and live freely. Remove damp spaces and always keep your home well-ventilated and well-lighted. Eliminate possible allergens by maintaining your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Regularly replace your air filters every 3 months to avoid build-up of dust and dirt.