The recent water crisis in Flint, Michigan, has drawn the country's attention to the lead pollution crisis. In fact, the health risks associated with this substance have been recognized, at least in the Middle Ages. There are laws in the United States that limit health effects, but many people still come into contact with a substance using materials that precede provisions. While aging water infrastructure is certainly a matter of concern, this is far from the only way in which people are exposed to unsafe lead levels. This is much more common for people who are exposed to paint inside their home or office. Before upgrading old buildings, it is important to conduct a lead inspection and take precautions to prevent entry into the blood.
In Flint, the state appointed a city manager to take over the city’s finances after declaring bankruptcy. This manager made a financial decision to stop buying water from nearby Detroit and instead connect the intake pipes to the Flint River that flows through the city. Although this decision was financially sound, it had unintended consequences, leading to one of the worst public health crises in US history. The water in the river was loaded with chlorides, a corrosive chemical. The city was unable to conduct a lead inspection on water pipes, and when chloride water got into the pipes, it usually put the heavy metal into the mixture. People who bathed, drank and washed with this water were exposed to a toxic metal and suffered severe health consequences. Since images of these effects flooded television screens across the country, many people (for obvious reasons) were concerned about the safety of their drinking water, but they did not consider the exposure created by paint.
Lead pigment has been used since at least 400 BC. E. The works of Pliny the Elder and Theophrastus describe the extraction method using vinegar to isolate the white pigment that was used for makeup and the dye for clothing. In the Middle Ages and during the Renaissance, white pigment was the main source of white in artistic paintings. Scriptures from this period indicate the risk of apoplexy and paralysis from prolonged exposure to the substance. However, despite this awareness, it was still used in white paint to improve the durability and gloss of the coating.
By the 1960s, an increasing amount of clinical science had demonstrated a full degree of harm, and not just harm to those who were exposed to prolonged exposure. Even with clear data showing cause and effect, it was not until 1978 that it was finally outlawed. For houses built before 1978 (the majority of the housing stock in most urban areas), there is a high statistical probability that lead paint was used at some point. Before embarking on any work, it is necessary to conduct an inspection. Grinding can release particles into the air, where they can be inhaled, creating a risk not only for workers, but also for people in close proximity. Those concerned about their exposure should contact the EPA or their public health agency for more information.
