What is Lead?
Lead is a highly toxic metal that is found naturally in the earth’s crust. It is used to produce many consumer products (like pipes, cars, electronics, and batteries). Lead was once used in products like paint and gas, but the Government of Canada now restricts its use in many products.
Everyone is exposed to low levels of lead through food, drinking water, air, dust, soil, and some consumer products. But ongoing exposure to lead may be harmful to your health.
When is Lead a problem?
You or your children can be exposed to lead by sucking, chewing, or swallowing products that have lead in them, breathing lead fumes as lead can stay in your body for over 25 years following exposure.
Health Canada’s Position on the Hazards of Lead
Health Canada’s Position is Lead-based paint in your home is a serious health hazard if it is chipping or flaking, or if it is within the reach of children who might chew on it.
Potential Lead Health Effects
Lead poisoning can cause many harmful health effects, especially to your brain, nervous system, blood system and kidneys. The risks are greater for children because their growing bodies are still developing and absorb lead more easily.
Exposure to even low levels of lead can cause harmful effects on children’s development. Pregnant women must also be careful, as lead can pass through the placenta.
Exposure to high levels of lead can cause vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, coma or even death. But severe cases of lead poisoning are rare in Canada.
Addressing the Potential Presence of Lead
- If you think the paint in your home may contain lead, have it tested. A certified inspector can measure paint lead levels in your home, or you can mail paint chip samples to a testing laboratory.
How Should Lead Contain Coatings and Paints Be Removed?
Surfaces that have been treated with leading containing paint or coatings should be properly handled in accordance with all applicable provinical or federal regulations.
Ontario
BC
Alberta
Recommended Lead Contractor Certifications
We recommend at a minimum the completion of a lead awareness program that exercised personal protection and proper handling of lead-based paints and coatings.
Recommended Insurance for Lead Abatement Contractors
Pollution Release Insurance