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Certified Home Inspections in
Nashville
Hermitage
Old Hickory
Mt. Juliet
Lebanon
Gallatin
Goodlettsville
Hendersonville
White House
and the remainder of
Davidson County
Wilson County
Sumner County in TN. |
Lead-Based Paint Facts and Disclosures
Lead paint is a potential health
risk. Depending on the level of exposure, lead can cause damage
to the brain and nervous system, behavior problems, slowed
growth, headaches, difficulties during pregnancy, high blood
pressure, digestive problems and muscle and joint pain.
Lead can affect everyone in the
family, but children are often at highest risk, especially small
children who don't hesitate to put things in their mouths.
One of the primary sources of
exposure is the lead-based paint that often exists in homes that
were built prior to 1978, when the Federal Government banned its
use in residential structures.
Federal regulations require that
sellers provide lead-based paint disclosures to home buyers who
are purchasing a home built before 1978.
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Sellers must
disclose in writing any information about known lead-based
paint in the home.
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If sellers
have performed lead tests, they must share the test results.
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Sales
contracts must give buyers up to 10 days to check for lead
hazards. Home buyers aren't required to do the check--but
they must be given the opportunity. Watch for this
information on a special form attached to the contract.
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Home sellers
must give home buyers a copy of the EPA publication "Protect
Your Family From Lead in Your Home." If you're dealing with
a real estate agency, your agent should provide the
pamphlet.
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Similar lead
disclosure regulations apply to landlords and tenants.
Likely Sources of Lead
Lead paint that is intact--with no
cracking, chipping or wear--is less likely to pose health risks.
If your home could contain lead-based paints, correct or stay
aware of the following situations:
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Peeling,
chipping, or cracking paints.
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Lead paint
on areas that small children might chew on, or areas
susceptible to wear and tear that causes cracking or
exposure to underlying layers of paints: stair railings,
banisters, window sills, door frames, porches, fences.
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Lead dust
that results when paint is sanded or dry scraped.
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Lead in the
soil surrounding your home, caused by flaking lead paints on
its exterior. Lead can be tracked inside on shoes or can be
a risk to children playing outside.
Other Sources of Lead
Lead-based paint isn't the only
potential source of lead in your home.
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Lead in
drinking water when plumbing contains lead or lead solder.
Have your water tested for lead, since it cannot be detected
by taste or smell.
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Old painted
toys or furniture.
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Industries
that release lead into the air.
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Hobbies that
use items containing lead: stained glass, pottery, furniture
refinishing.
So What Can You Do About Lead?
Ongoing, Temporary "Fixes"
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Temporarily
reduce lead hazards by repairing damaged painted surfaces
and planting grass to cover soil with high lead levels.
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Clean up
paint chips right away.
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Clean
painted surfaces weekly, then thoroughly rinse your cleaning
tools.
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Wash
children's hands frequently; wash toys and other items they
play with regularly.
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Keep
children from chewing on painted surfaces.
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Eat
nutritious meals that are high in iron and calcium. Children
and adults with good diets absorb less lead.
Permanent Lead Removal
Lead testing may be common in some
areas, but I have never met a home seller who has tested for the
presence of lead-based paints. So don't be alarmed or suspicious
if your seller has no lead paint information to share. Although
lead paint can be dangerous, its presence shouldn't be enough to
keep you from buying a home you love unless you feel the paint
is in such terrible condition that it poses a true health
threat.
Visit the
EPA's Web site for in-depth information about identifying
and dealing with lead hazards in the environment and in your
home.
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