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Question: "I've heard that lead poisoning is a frequent problem with many homes. I have two shildren and am concerned about the presence of lead in my home. Is there any way I can protect them?”

Thanks so much for your question. Lead is a serious problem that must be addressed in every home. Lead is extremely poisonous and slow to leave the body. Even a small accumulation of lead can prove to be damaging to humans. Children are especially susceptible. Symptoms include nausea, headache, and vomiting. Let's look at some ways that you can test your home for lead and protect your loved ones.

Prior to 1970, paint contained an alarmingly high concentration of lead. Chipping and flaking was especially dangerous for children who ingested the paint particles. Hardware stores usually carry a lead testing kit, but they are not very reliable. The only way to test your paint for lead is to send the samples off to a lab to be tested by professionals. The best treatment for this type of lead product is to simply paint over the old coat. Scraping and sanding may present a dangerous situation for your family.

Another problem location for lead is in your piping. Lead can be found in the pipes themselves or in the soldering that connects them together. Cities usually remedy this problem by adding a trace amount of phosphate to the water. This seals the pipes and keeps lead from entering your water supply.

To make sure that there is no lead in your drinking water, let the water run a minute or so before you use it. Water that sits in pipes overnight is more likely to have lead in it. You can also have your water tested by professionals to ensure its clarity. A filter is another good tool to use here.