Lead Paint Windows

[SquirelNutkin]

We live in a 1920s southern home.
i windows look as though they have never been sanded- the insides, not the window sills.

i like opening windows for breeze verses AC- but are we in danger of creating lead dust in the house?
What do you think?
What could i do less expensive then replacing the windows?

thanks
b

[carrieanne]

I am thinking that as long as the paint isn't chipping and there isn't paint dust, it would be fine to open the windows. Sanding would release the lead even more. To take care of this you might want to call someone in, the entire house may have lead paint in which case you would definitely want a pro in there to remove it but you would have to find somewhere else to stay for a while. But I am pretty sure that i have read that as long as the paint is intact (i.e. no chipping/cracking and the like) that lead poisoning will not be much of a danger. Just clean the sills and around the insideds of the windows when you have them open to get any dust (just a soft damp cloth should do it) just in case there is any.

But I am no pro so please take this with a grain of salt, it may be the very best to get a professional in to inspect it for you if you are unsure as to whether or not it would be safe.

[Clarity]

cleaning is a good suggestions, but the opening and closing of the windows, on it's own can create lead dust. Why not get a test kit to find out if there is lead on those windows? Or better, have them professionally tested.

You should research, but I have heard there is a paint stripping product that turns the old lead paint into kind of a gel...so it doesn't end up in the air during abatement. I was also told a few days ago, that in some cases the putty used around the panes of glass themselves can contain lead in some cases.

There is no way to know for sure without testing, since your windows may not have been painted until quite late...it was known that lead was dangerous since the 1920's...so some companies removed it, some owners wouldn't use it...but no law was passed so it was still in use until the 70's.

[carrieanne]

but the opening and closing of the windows, on it's own can create lead dust. Why not get a test kit to find out if there is lead on those windows? Or better, have them professionally tested.

Aha! Clarity to the rescue! I was thinking about this and was just coming back to add it. I think that the testing is pretty important, you really wan t to take care with the possibility of lead paint.

[Clarity]

It is on my mind because we live in an old home and several of dd's playgroup friends have been testing at 5 and 6. (including one guy who tested elevated who lives in a new house with no obvious risks!) So we're getting a hair test done My house tested ok on the home kits, but I think I'm having a pro come in, my house is from the late 20's.

[SquirelNutkin]

sO, iN YOUR opinions-
If I just dont open the windows- which the insides do have cracked and peeling paint- than we should be OK about lead dust?

This is what I am thinking.

We don't have lead in the yard, and I do sweep and dust the window sills frequently, and we filter our water and we repainted the walls, and we filter the air frequently- so other than the insides of the windows and since I breastfeed, I take calcium pills regularly- I think our house is pretty safe.

Our peditrician doesnt want to tes our kids- says only once a year for the 4 year old- though weve moved in that year, and not until the baby is one years- so I am a bit annoyed and feel like this danger isnt being taken seriously.
Thanks for your help,
b

[Clarity]

the aap has recently lowered the threshold for concern and takes it very seriously - but generally in mobile babes who naturally are getting into more...rather than airborne to younger ones I guess. I don't think the problem is airborne so much as dust that settles and is then injested. Can you research one of the products you can use to paint over the peeling stuff? maybe that would be a good short term solution. The cleaning, calcium (add maybe iron for the babe if you think there is exposure.) But cleaning, keeping the babe from picking off paint chips you might think about placing furniture in fron of the windows to keep more distance, and not creating unneeded dust will probably cover it.