I currently live in an older home in East York that was built around 1920. Of course, many homes in Toronto - especially in the cities core - are far older, and as such may contain lead either in the paint or the pipes. Regarding my own property:As a precaution I have had my water supply, pipes and paint checked for lead and found nothing of concern. But, what about your home?

 Why Is Lead Regarded As Dangerous?

Lead itself is known as a brain poison or 'neurotoxicant'. Scant little exposure can harm a developing child causing behavioural and learning difficulties in school. As we all know children like to chew on things and lead paint tastes sweet to them; hence they might munch on an old windowsill or stair railing because it is so appealing. Lead interferes with many functions of the body, and there is really no safe level of exposure. I have discovered through my research that your body thinks of lead as calcium, and if it cannot dispose of it from the body it absorbs it into your bones and flesh. There are tests to see if you have 'toxicity' or not. Check with your doctor or Naturopath. Lead can only be removed from the body through a process called 'chelation'.

 Sources Of Lead In Your Home

There can be several sources of lead in your home including:

1) Water Supply: The water itself does not come from the treatment plant with lead in it, but rather can pick it as it passes through older deteriorating pipes; especially ones that have connections soldered with lead. Have your pipes and water supply checked. The city will test your water for free (I have had it done) and they will discuss any problems. Tip: If you suspect there might be lead in your pipes or for just plain piece-of-mind, run your taps for 2-3 minutes first thing in the morning to flush out standing water that may have absorbed lead overnight. I do this every day. Also, as a precaution, I have a purifier for my water that removes any additional lead that might get through. As well, I have installed a filter for lead and other contaminants on my shower head as it can be absorbed through the skin while bathing.

2) Paint: At least here in Canada paint was infused with lead in significant quantities until the 1960's. (one out of every four Canadian homes were built prior to this) Naturally as it fades people tend to apply a fresh coat over the old, but occasionally the paint is scraped or sanded off, thereby creating lead dust throughout the home. Also, during home renovations entire walls can be removed again causing lead dust to travel freely throughout the property. When in doubt, collect small samples and send them off to an accredited lab for analysis before doing any structural work.

3) Soil: We may not live outside our home but what lies in the ground beneath can definitely affect us within. Lead was used extensively in automotive gas, hence if you live near an old abandoned gas station, lead could have leached into the soil around your home. Also, living near a factory that used lead in a product can again be problematic as leeching may have occurred. I'm sure you've heard the term 'soil remediation'. Many large scale projects around the city (any city really) often require much of the soil to be removed before construction begins as it contains so much lead. Cleaning up soil is extremely expensive. I recently acted as a Buyer Representative for a client seeking a commercial property. Their wish for the property was to turn it into a home. The property was an old gas station and through extensive testing some of the soil beneath contained lead, and needed to be 'remediated'.

4) Products From Other Countries: Your home and surrounding soil may be free of lead but there are still other sources to consider. Other countries around the world do not have as stringent a policy regarding the use of lead in products. Products that may contain lead can include: children's toys (China has been making headlines regarding this fact); pottery(especially glazed, that's why I only use glass plates, bowls and mugs); food, depending on the soil it was grown in; the fillings in your mouth (could also contain mercury); candles (I use only pure beeswax ones); costume jewellery; lipstick and some plastic mini-blinds. Also, if your hobby is 'stained glass' the lead you are using may rub off onto your fingers and then leech into you. And if that's not enough, after a hard days work you might like to come home and take a bubble bath. But, remember, if the tub is an old one there could be lead in the glazing. 

There are many other places you can find lead so always be 'questioning' as to a products source and quality control. You can also order an on-line kit that allows you to do some testing around the home yourself. I have done this as well.

When I was younger lead was more prevalent in its use here in Canada than it is today. (my mother actually worked in a paint factory in the early 1960's) But, that does not mean it is not silently resting in your home waiting to be disturbed. With many older homes in the city being extensively renovated or torn down to make way for new ones lead - as well as asbestos - should be given a high level of concern and proper testing should occur before any project is undertaken.