Why Should You Worry About Lead Paint On Your Property?

By Author: George Babbage
Total Articles: 152
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It's easy to think of lead paint as an outdated problem, but it's more common than you'd think. In fact, you don't have to live in an older home to have a lead paint issue-lead paint was used from the 1900s up through the 1970s in Australia, and it can still be found in many homes and apartment buildings that were built before 1978. If you're buying or renting a home or apartment now, chances are good that some of your building's original layers of paint will contain lead.
 
If you do have lead paint on your property, it'll likely be located on window frames, doors, baseboards and mouldings, and other woodwork with multiple coats of old paint for which lead paint removal in Sydney is important. Another common area is the interior walls where they meet window sills, which are often hidden under curtains or blinds. Lead paint can also be found on exterior surfaces like porches and railings-anything that has been repainted several times over the years is a likely candidate for containing lead.
 
Lead ...
... exposure has been linked to serious health problems such as brain damage and birth defects. It is especially dangerous for pregnant women because it can cause developmental issues for the foetus-it doesn't take much exposure for these effects to occur.
 
Lead is a toxic metal that can damage almost every organ in the human body. The most common way to be exposed to lead is from dust from deteriorating lead-based paint, which people and animals ingest or breathe in. The effects of lead poisoning are very serious and can involve anything from seizures to brain damage to death. It's especially bad for children because their brains are still developing, and they often play on the floor, where dust accumulates. Unfortunately, exposure doesn't always have immediate effects; sometimes, it takes many years before symptoms begin to show up so lead paint removal in Sydney is advisable as soon as possible.
 
If one of your tenants develops health issues because of exposure to lead paint on your property, you could be liable. Landlords are responsible for the safety of their tenants and any guests who visit them on the premises. And while there are exceptions (for example, if you're renting out a place that's been deemed a "historic building"), it's usually illegal to rent out a property built before 1978 if it has not been tested for lead paint or remediated (meaning all lead hazards have been identified and taken care of). If you're found to be renting out an apartment that contains lead, you can face charges.



About the Author: This contribution has been made by George Babbage who has written a number of articles on Lead Paint Removal Sydney and provides fruitful information. To know more, please visit sydneypaintingcompanies.com.au