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Lead Paint, Pests and Mold

Rebuilding Together is delighted to partner with Sherwin-Williams in support of Lead Safe Work Practices as part of our Safe and Healthy Homes Initiative. We hope to bring attention to the issue of deteriorated or non intact lead paint and asthma triggers such as  pests and mold. These often unnoticeable, unseen problems are seen in hundreds of thousands of homes across the country and can affect the health of families.

Our partnership strives to raise awareness and share information on how to implement lead safe work practices and address household environmental triggers such as pests and mold challenges. Working with CLEARCorps, an organization dedicated to eliminating lead poisoning and providing families with healthy housing, Rebuilding Together, with support from Sherwin Williams, trained selected affiliates in lead safe work practices as well as provided them with housing rehab suggestions and in- home education materials for families that may be at risk for exposure to lead based paint, mold, or pests.

Lead Safety

Facts about Lead Poisoning:

  • Lead exposure can harm young children and babies even before they are born. 
  • Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies.  There are no symptoms until the lead levels are extremely high.
  • You can get lead in your body by breathing or swallowing lead dust, or by eating soil or paint chips containing lead.  Young children are most at risk because of their normal hand to mouth behavior and because their neurological systems are not fully developed and lead causes damage to the brain.
  • Lead poisoning is entirely preventable. You have many options for reducing lead hazards. In most cases, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a hazard.  Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase the danger to your family. 
  • Some children’s toys, home remedies, imported pottery, and other consumer products may have unsafe levels of lead. 

(Courtesy of http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadinfo.htm)

 

For More Information on How to Protect Your Family and Workers:

State and local health departments often have programs and educational materials specific for your community.

 

 

Asthma and Allergy Triggers in Homes:

MOLD Management

Mold can contribute to asthma and allergy symptoms. 

Inside your home you can control mold growth by:

  • Keeping humidity levels between 40% and 60%;
  • Promptly fixing leaky roofs, windows, and pipes;
  • Thoroughly cleaning and drying after flooding;
  • Ventilating shower, laundry, and cooking areas.

If mold is growing in your home, you need to clean up the mold and fix the moisture problem. Mold growth can be removed from hard surfaces with commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water.

(Courtesy of http://www.cdc.gov/mold/dampness_facts.htm)

For More Information about the Health Affects of Mold and How to Eliminate Mold From Your Home:

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Indoor Air Quality Program, Mold Topic http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldguide.html

US Center for Disease Control (CDC) Hazards and Health Effects Program, Mold Focus Area http://www.cdc.gov/mold/

National Association of Home Builders Mold Tips http://www.moldtips.com/

National Center for Healthy Housing www.nchh.org

Integrated Pest Management

Cockroaches and rodents are common sources of allergy and asthma triggers. The most common reason for a house to have serious cockroach or rodent infestations is consistent water intrusions from leaky roofs, basement walls, and leaking pipes. Cracks and gaps in the walls and roof are easy access points for pests seeking a dark, damp home. Fixing leaks, sealing cracks or gaps in the structure, and preventing water intrusion are the most valuable long term solutions.

An important key to pest management is to remove places in your home for pests to hide and to keep exposed areas free of food and water. But remember, pesticides you may spray to prevent pests are not only toxic to pests, they can harm people too. Try to use pest management methods that pose less of a risk. Tips to prevent pests:

·         Do not leave food or garbage out.

·         Store food in airtight containers.

·         Clean all food crumbs or spilled liquids right away.

·         Wash dishes as soon as you are done using them.

·         Keep counters, sinks, tables and floors clean and clear of clutter.

·         Remove piles of boxes, newspapers and other hiding places for pests from your home.

·         Make sure trash is stored in containers with lids that close securely, and remove trash daily.

·         Try using poison baits, boric acid or traps first before using pesticide sprays.

(Courtesy http://www.epa.gov/asthma/pests.html)

 

Integrated Pest Mangement Links

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Indoor Air Quality Program, Asthma and Pest Topichttp://www.epa.gov/asthma/pests.html

Alliance for Healthy Homes

http://www.afhh.org/dah/dah_cockroaches.htm

http://www.afhh.org/dah/dah_rodents.htm

 

 

General Links

Consumer Protection Safety Commission http://www.cpsc.gov

US Center for Disease Control (CDC) Healthy Homes Initiative http://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces/healthyhomes.htm

US Center for Disease Control (CDC) Healthy Housing Reference Manual http://0-www.cdc.gov.mill1.sjlibrary.org/nceh/publications/books/housing/housing.htm

CLEARCorps USA www.clearcorps.org

National Center for Healthy Housing:  http://www.centerforhealthyhousing.org