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Lead Poisoning and Venetian Blinds
by Marti Grainder
http://www.fakroblinds.com
Many homeowners are not aware that there are possible
hazards in their Venetian blinds. We are now all fairly
conscious of the many dangers of lead poisoning in paint
and other surfaces, but older venetian blinds were
frequently constructed using lead and so, under certain
conditions, they can create a threat to your health and
safety, if you come into contact with them. However,
you can take steps to avoid problems if you recognize the
signs of venetian blinds that have this poisonous element
in them.
If your home contains Venetian blinds that have made from
PVC plastic which has been stabilized with lead, as many
are, then there are potential hazards that can come into
play over time. Eventually, as the blinds begin to
deteriorate, you may notice a dusty build-up on the slats.
This dust contains particles of lead, which can be
transferred to people and/or animals in a number of ways,
e.g., a breeze may blow the particles, causing them to
become airborne and breathed in, someone may inadvertently
rub against the blinds and cause some of this dust to
become lodged in hair or clothing, and routine housekeeping
(such as dusting) may cause some of the particles to
become airborne, as well.
If your venetian blinds, especially if they are older ones,
show these signs of a powder build-up, you should
immediately remove them and place them inside a sealed
plastic bag, using protective gloves. Then call the local
branch of the Environmental Protection Agency in your area
They will be able to run tests to determine whether or not
they contain lead. If they do, they will advise of the
proper steps to for the removal of any similar blinds in
your home, and the best method to dispose of them.
Once you remove the blinds, thoroughly clean the area
surrounding them, including windows, window frames, window
sills and the wall and floor areas nearby, using protective
gloves. If you have rugs, vacuum them thoroughly; for other
surfaces such as vinly or wood floors, use a damp mop to
clean them.
Children under the age of six are at very high risk for lead
poisoning and therefore, if you have children or
grandchilren this young, you should have the lead
concentrations in their blood measured. This is the only
definitive test for the presence of excessive levels of lead
in the blood. If your medical professional discourages
testing, insist that it be done. If, as suggested, the
blinds have been tested by the EPA, bring the paperwork to
the child's pediatrician. If these lead concentrations are
high enough, you may need to have the child or children
checked by a specailist. It doesn't take much lead to
constitute a high concentration, so you must be very
diligent in your efforts.
To remove the old blinds and replace them with newer ones
is usually not enough. The danger continues to exist in
the particles that clining to all of the areas of your home
surrounding the windows. You and your family will continue
to be in danger of lead poisoning if you don't thoroughly
rid the area of all possible contamination. You must take
these steps to erase all traces of the lead from your
environment, especially if there are children in the home.
What a small price for the health of your loved ones.
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