Property/Homeowners-What you should know and do:
As a property owner or homeowner, the responsibility falls on your shoulders to protect the safety of your family, tenants or children. Property comes in all sizes- apartments, condominiums, duplexes, single family, etc. They can be private, or public housing or government assisted. School for this purpose are facilities that care for children 6 years or younger such as pre-schools, or kindergarten classrooms.
Lead-Based Paint is hazardous to children and adults:
Lead-based paint is a major source of lead poisoning for children. Lead interferes with the functioning and development of virtually all body organs such as the kidneys, central nervous system and red blood cells. Since a child’s body is not fully developed, lead poisoning can be responsible for:
· Hearing Loss;
· Brain, kidney and liver damage;
· Behavior or learning problems;
· Lowered IQ (intellect)
· Restlessness
What are the symptoms of lead poisoning? Since the symptoms can be confused with other illnesses, medical testing in the form of a blood test is the best way to diagnose lead poisoning. Children six-months to two years absorb more lead than older children or adults. Testing is increasingly more important for them. Ideally, all children under the age of six should be tested if they live or go to school in a building that was built in 1978 or older. Most children will not show any outward symptoms unless their blood-lvels are extremely high. These symptoms include:
· Headache
· Loss of appetite
· Insomnia
· Constipation
· Persistent tiredness
· Stomachaches
· Nausea
· Irritability
What Property Owners Should Know