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Lead Poisoning and Venetian Blinds
by Marti Grainder
http://www.fakroblinds.com
In an ongoing effort to rid our homes of the dangers of
lead poisoning, many homeowners have given no thought to
the possible hazards that their Venetian blinds may offer.
Older blinds may contain lead within their construction
and, under certain conditions, may be a threat to the
health and safety of those who come into contact with them.
That having been said, there are ways in which to
recognize the signs of blinds that contain this deadly
element, as well as steps that can be taken if such
evidence should become apparent.
If you have Venetian blinds that have been constructed from
PVC plastic, this PVC may have been stabilized with lead.
If this is the case, you may be exposing yourself and your
family to a potential hazard. What happens is that the
blinds begin to deteriorate over time. If you notice a dusty
build-up on the slats, this dust contains particles of lead,
and they can be transferred to people and animals in many
ways. A breeze may blow the particles into your rooms
causing you and your family to breathe them in; you may
inadvertently rub against the blinds and the have the
particles cling to hair or clothing; everyday housekeeping,
such as dusting or vacuuming the blinds may cause the
particles to become airborne.
When blinds, particularly those which are older, are
showing signs of such build-up, they should be removed and
immediately placed inside of a sealed plastic bag. By
calling the local branch of the Environmental Protection
Agency in your area, steps can be taken to have the blinds
tested in order to determine if they, indeed, contain lead.
If so, you'll be advised of the proper steps to take for
the removal of any similar blinds that are in your home, as
well as the best means for disposing 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.
Don't make the mistake of simply removing your old blinds
from the windows and replacing them with newer models,
disregarding the possible dangers that may lie within them.
Without knowing it, you may be in danger of lead poisoning,
especially if there are children in the home. Always
check for the possibility of lead and take the necessary
steps to eradicate all traces of it from your home
environment. It may be inconvenient, but it can also save
the life of a loved one.
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