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FAQ
Lead Frequently Asked Questions
Why is lead
in some homes?
Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our
homes. In general, the older a home, the more likely it has lead-based paint.
The most common sources of household
lead are:
- Paint - The federal government
banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978, but homes built before this time may have used lead paint.
- Dust - Household dust can be contaminated with lead from paint,
as can the soil around a house whose exterior was painted with lead paint.
- Drinking water - Your home might have plumbing with lead or lead solder.
Can lead cause health problems?
If not detected early, children
with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from damage to the brain and nervous system, behavior and learning problems,
slowed growth, hearing problems and headaches.
Lead is also harmful to adults. Adults can suffer from difficulties
during pregnancy, high blood pressure, digestive problems, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems, and muscle
and joint pain.
What should I do about lead?
You can temporarily reduce lead hazards by taking
actions such as repairing damaged painted surfaces and planting grass to cover soil with high lead levels. These actions are
not permanent solutions and will need ongoing attention.
To permanently remove lead hazards, you must hire a certified
lead abatement contractor. Abatement methods include removing, sealing, or enclosing lead-based paint with special materials.
Who should do the cleanup?
Always hire a person with special training for correcting lead problems
-- someone who knows how to do this work safely and has the proper equipment to clean up thoroughly. Certified contractors
will employ qualified workers and follow strict safety rules set by their state or the federal government. Contact the National Lead Information Center for help with locating certified contractors in your area and to see if financial assistance is available.
For
more information, see the EPA's Lead Information Resources.
The above information is provided as a public service by the Environmental Protection Agency for educational
purposes.
Radon Frequently Asked Questions
What is radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in soils, rock, and water throughout the U.S. Radon causes lung cancer,
and is a threat to health because it tends to collect in homes, sometimes to very high concentrations.
How
can radon affect people's health?
Almost all risk from radon comes from breathing air with radon and its
decay products. Radon decay products cause lung cancer.
There is no safe level of radon -- any exposure poses some
risk of cancer. In two 1999 reports, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) concluded after an exhaustive review that radon
in indoor air is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after cigarette smoking. The NAS estimated that 15,000-22,000
Americans die every year from radon-related lung cancer.
How do I know if there is radon in my home?
You cannot see, feel, smell, or taste radon. Testing your home is the only way to know if you and your family are
at risk from radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing for radon in all rooms below the third floor.
Radon
testing is inexpensive and easy--it should only take a few minutes of your time. Millions of Americans have already tested
their homes for radon. Various low-cost, do-it-yourself test kits are available through the mail and in hardware stores and
other retail outlets. You can also hire a trained contractor to do the testing for you.
What can I do to protect
myself and my family from radon?
The first step is to test your home for radon, and have it fixed if it is
at or above EPA's Action Level of 4 Pico curies per liter. You may want to take action if the levels are in the range
of 2-4 Pico curies per liter. Generally, levels can be brought below 2 pCi/l fairly simply.
The best method for
reducing radon in your home will depend on how radon enters your home and the design of your home. For example, sealing cracks
in floors and walls may help to reduce radon. There are also systems that remove radon from the crawl space or from beneath
the concrete floor or basement slab that are effective at keeping radon from entering your home. These systems are simple
and don't require major changes to your home. Other methods may be necessary.
People who have private wells
should test their well water to ensure that radon levels meet EPA's newly proposed standard.
For more information,
read the EPA's A Citizen's Guide to Radon and How to Find a Qualified Radon Service Professional in Your Area
The above information is provided as a public service by the Environmental Protection Agency for educational
purposes.
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