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Window Safety and Lead Paint
April 28, 2008 - Lead paint applied to old windows presents a potential problem for those concerned about lead poisoning. Lead paint was used on millions of homes throughout the US before it was banned for residential purposes by the Consumer Product Safety Commission in 1978. However, by then, millions of windows coated with lead paint were in place. Today, according to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), some 37 to 38 million homes still have lead paint in them -- about 40% of the US housing stock.
Lead-contaminated household dust is a primary cause of childhood lead poisoning in the US today-and one of the sources of lead dust is the friction involved in the opening and shutting of pre-1978 lead-painted windows. Once the lead dust particles develop, they are deposited on windowsills, on the floor, and on any other object or toy that happens to be in the area. Once the lead dust gets on a child's fingers, it usually doesn't take long for the fingers to end up in the young child's mouth, which is when the lead gets ingested, potentially leading to lead poisoning.
A number of dust test kit products are available to consumers who want to know whether or not they have a lead dust problem. Lab test kits are considered more reliable than home test kits. The National Safety Council offers a dust test kit both through its website (http://www.nsc.org/issues/lead/) and via a dedicated toll-free hotline service (1-866-528-3187).
"Lead poisoning from old windows is preventable. Knowing if your family is at risk and taking action to correct it can make a big difference in your child's quality of life," said Dave Gordon, President and CEO of Regency Windows.
Because old windows painted with lead paint can produce lead dust and lead paint chips, window replacement is a highly recommended and cost-effective strategy to reduce the risk of childhood lead poisoning in older homes. In addition to removing a potential source of lead exposure, window replacement can also add significant energy-savings benefits.
For more information on lead poisoning and its prevention, go to http://www.nsc.org/library/facts/lead.htm or http://www.nsc.org/issues/lead
Additional window safety tips are available at the National Safety Council's website:
http://www.nsc.org/aware/window/
or email Regency at safety@regencywindow.com for more information and an activity book for kids.
About Regency Windows Corporation
Regency, with offices in Cleveland and Columbus, has installed over 400,000 windows, patio doors and entry doors in Ohio since 1971. Regency is committed to safety, training and service; winning the 2006 Window & Door Magazine Dealers of the Year Excellence in Installation Award. Regency employs the largest team of InstallationMasters™ certified installers in North America. For more information, call 1-800-453-9861 or go online to www.regencywindow.com.
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