Sources of Lead
In a residential setting there are three main sources where lead
may be found. These are water, soil and paint. Each of these can be
tested during an Environmental Assessment to determine if there is
lead present. The Health Department provides this service at no cost
for children who are residents of Jasper County and who have an
elevated blood lead level.
Water is seldom found to contain high levels of lead in Jasper
County but samples are always taken for analysis during an
Environmental Assessment because it is a possible source. Well water
is more likely to contain lead, however; it is still uncommon to
find well water contaminated with lead in this area. Although city
water is even less likely to contain lead, there is still a
possibility that it could be contaminated due to the plumbing in the
home. Well water can also become contaminated due to plumbing. Many
older homes have lead pipes or contain other plumbing components
with lead solder. Also plumbing fixtures made of brass or bronze may
contain lead. Because the water in our area contains a large amount
of mineral, it is common for the inside of the pipes to be coated
with a thick layer of mineral which prevents the water it carries
from ever coming in contact with the pipes. This may be an
inconvenience in some cases, but it does help to reduce the risk of
lead contaminated water in older homes.
Lead contamination in soil is a major concern in this area because
of the mining and smelting that were major economic activities in
this county for about 120 years. Lead from smelting has settled out
of the air and into the soil in some areas. Mining waste that was
left above ground has spread around and in some cases has even been
used in sandboxes or as material for driveways or foundations. Some
soil has also become contaminated with lead from paint containing
lead which has chipped off of buildings and fallen into the soil.
Soil near very busy streets may also contain lead from the use of
leaded gasoline in automobiles during the early 1920's into the
1980's. During an Environmental Assessment, small amounts of soil
are taken from near the surface to be analyzed for lead content.
Until 1978, when commercial use was outlawed, it was very common for
house paint to contain lead. Leaded paint could last
longer, be more
brightly colored and resist fading and mildew. Because of this it
was commonly used on the exteriors of buildings and around windows
and doors. Unfortunately its use has been very widespread and it is
poisonous if it enters the body. Most houses built before 1978
contain some lead paint. If the paint remains intact it would not be
considered a hazard; however, if the paint begins to chip or peel it
could potentially harm occupants of the home. Lead paint has a sweet
taste and a young child may be likely to eat the chips of paint if
they discovered the sweet taste. Small children may even chew on a
painted surface such as a window sill. Also, if dust was created
from the lead paint it would be fairly simple for the dust to get
onto the hands of a child and then into their mouth. Dust can be
created when the paint chips, or, more often, from the friction
created when door or window components rub together when being
opened or closed. Also, dust can be created during remodeling or
sanding activities. The Jasper County Health Department has a
machine that can test the lead content of paint within seconds
without disturbing the painted surface.
Besides these three main sources of lead there are several other
places lead may be found in the home:
- toys
- jewelry
- porcelain or pottery especially imported
- food stored, baked or served in poorly glazed pottery or leaded crystal
- food packed in cans with lead seams (no longer used in U.S.)
- food grown near sources of lead
- imported or homemade food, candy, or folk medicines, or cosmetics
- dust on clothing, shoes or hands of someone who has an occupation or hobby using lead
- antique pewter
- drapery and window weights
- imported plastic blinds
- plastic coatings on wiring
- imported plastic Christmas trees
- fishing weights
- battery casings