Lead paint or lead-based paint (LBP) is paint containing lead, a heavy metal, that is used as pigment, with lead(II) chromate (PbCrO₄, “chrome yellow“) and lead(II) carbonate(PbCO₃, “white lead“) being the most common. Lead is also added to paint to speed drying, increase durability, retain a fresh appearance, and resist moisture that causes corrosion. However it is one of the major health and environmental issues with paint. In some countries lead continues to be added to paint intended for domestic use whereas in others regulation exists that prohibits this, though lead paint may still be found in older properties painted prior to the introduction of such regulation e.g. in the U.S. and the U.K. and Australia.

Toxicity

Although lead improves paint performance, it is a dangerous substance. It is especially damaging to children under age six whose bodies are still developing. Lead causes nervous system damage, stunted growth, and delayed development. It can cause kidney damage and affects every organ system of the body. It also is dangerous to adults, and can cause reproductive problems for both men and women. Lead paint is particularly dangerous because it tastes sweet therefore encouraging children to put lead chips and toys with lead dust in their mouths.

One myth related to lead-based paint is that children must eat leaded paint chips to develop lead poisoning. In fact, childhood lead exposure can occur by way of ingestion of lead dust through normal hand-to-mouth contact during which children swallow lead dust dislodged from deteriorated paint or leaded dust generated during remodelling or painting.

Regulation

The European Union has passed a directive controlling lead paint use.

The United States government’s Consumer Product Safety Commission banned lead paint in 1977 (16 Code of Federal Regulations CFR 1303). In an announcement dated September 2, 1977, “The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has culminated a major regulatory proceeding by issuing a final ban on lead-containing paint and on toys and furniture coated with such paint. This action was taken to reduce the risk of lead poisoning in children who may ingest paint chips or peelings.”.

Effective April 22, 2010, the US EPA now requires that all renovators who work in homes built pre 1978 and disturb more than six square-feet of lead paint be RRP certified. The new regulation will affect over 100,000 renovators across the country. Renovators can find out more about the program and training locations at.

Real estate maintenance and renovation

Humans can be poisoned during unsafe renovations or repainting jobs on housing that has lead paint. Therefore, it is encouraged to carefully stabilize any deteriorated (peeling, chipping, cracking, etc.) paint in a lead-safe manner and take precautions during preparation for repainting.

Lead-based paint on the exterior of structures weathers to give flakes and powder. The degraded paint particles accumulate in the soil near the structure. Lead-based paint used on interior surfaces can also degrade to produce lead-containing dust. Sanding coatings prior to repainting generates lead dust. Sanding the exterior of a structure without proper equipment can cause lead contamination inside the structure. Methods used to remove lead paint can themselves generate lead dust. This is particularly true when unacceptable methods and work practices are used. Poorly performed abatement can be worse than no abatement. Micron-sized lead dust particles can remain airborne for substantial periods and cannot be completely removed by standard cleaning methods. When working on old painted surfaces, assume that one or more of the paint coats contain lead. Take precautions accordingly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_paint

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/inaiqu/inaiqu_007.cfm

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/prod/paint-peinture-eng.php