Although lead-based paint was banned in 1978, it's presence remains in many homes in the Cook County and DuPage County areas.

The Center For Disease Control estimates that over 300,000 in the USA have elevated levels of lead in their blood. Most of these raised levels are attributable to the ingestion of lead during unsafe renovations or repairs to homes containing lead-based paint.

Many of the physical probelms associated with elevated lead levels include: learning disabilities, problems with the central nervous system, poor muscle coordination and speech disabilities. Beyond the physical problem itself, many of the symptoms associated with these problems do not manifest themselves immediately. As such, these problems go on too long without treatment.

When purchasing a house in the Chicago Metropolitan area (or anywhere in the USA for that matter), sellers are required to provide a lead-based paint disclosure to the buyer if the house was constructed before 1978. In that disclosure, the seller must identify whether or not he has knowledge of lead-based paint in the house being purchased. Moreover, the seller of the home is further required to indicate whether or not he has reports pertaining to lead-based paint.

For detailed information regarding lead-based paint in homes, read the following:

http://www.hud.gov/offices/lead/outreach/pyf_eng.pdf

and

http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadinfo.htm#buy

In all cases, if you suspect that you may be living in a house that contains lead paint, have any children occupants of the home tested. Secondly, when it comes time to replace, repair or renovate any component of the house which may contain lead, have the work done professionally.

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.