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No matter what type of property damage you experience — water, fire, mold, or asbestos — rest assured that our IICRC-trained restoration professionals will work diligently to ensure a smooth and rapid recovery.
Lead Abatement
Lead was once a common material for various products, including many items we still have in our homes. We know now that lead exposure can have significant health impacts that threaten our home safety. Additionally, older homes may hide signs of lead from the common eye, making it hard for homeowners and families to determine when a problem is present.
The good news is that you can easily remedy this issue by requesting a lead abatement service. Learn more about this service, including why it’s so important for your home and family.
What Is Lead Abatement?
Lead abatement is the process of eliminating lead hazards from a property. This process is crucial for ensuring the safety of anyone on the property, including homeowners and families. Requesting reliable professional services is critical for ensuring proper abatement to eliminate lead hazards. Older homes and buildings are more likely to face problems with lead, but several factors can contribute to this issue.
Common sources of lead include:
- Lead-based paint: One of the most common sources of lead in older homes is lead-based paint. Homes built before 1978 typically used lead-based paint, but millions of homes still experience this issue. Many homes today have lead-based paint hidden under layers of new paint, which can cause adverse outcomes. Problems arise especially in locations that face a lot of wear, such as window sills, doors, door frames, porches, stairs and banisters.
- Plumbing systems: Plumbing systems with lead fixtures or pipes can be cause for concern. Homes dating before 1986 are most likely to have lead plumbing fittings and fixtures. This can lead to significant issues if the system faces corrosion that causes lead to enter the property’s drinking water supply.
- Contamination: Lead-based products can cause contamination in dust and soil. When flakes of lead-based products peel from homes, it can impact the nearby environment. Additionally, lead is naturally occurring, which means some locations may have higher lead concentrations than others.
- Products: Over time, many types of household products have used lead. Older toys, furniture, liquid and food containers, some cosmetics and jewelry may contain lead.
Health Risks of Lead Exposure
Lead exposure can affect several parts of the body, including the kidneys, bones, liver and brain. It contributed to over 1.5 million deaths in 2021, highlighting the dangers of this substance. Lead poisoning can have severe health effects for anyone, but children and pregnant women are especially at risk.
Common lead exposure risks include:
- Developmental delays: Children can experience developmental delays and learning difficulties due to lead exposure. Significant exposure can result in brain and central nervous system damage that can lead to comas, behavioral problems or death.
- Cardiovascular issues: Several studies have shown a correlation between lead exposure and cardiovascular problems. Some health impacts include coronary heart disease, elevated blood pressure, high risks of hypertension, peripheral vascular disease and cerebrovascular accidents.
- Impaired kidneys: Impaired kidneys from high levels of lead exposure can result in chronic kidney disease and kidney damage. This impacts the body’s ability to release fluids and can cause severe gout in adults.
- Cognition problems: Lead exposure can also lead to several cognitive issues, including difficulty with organizing, coordinating movements or engaging in proper social behaviors.
There is no safe amount of lead exposure, and even small traces can lead to significant health problems. Rhode Island’s updated lead laws aim to address these risks by requiring regular inspections and abatement in older properties.
Why Choose Our Lead Abatement Services?
When you have a lead problem in your home, you want to feel confident in your service provider to address the issue. At Rhode Island Restoration, you can find comprehensive restoration and abatement services for your property, including lead abatement. Our team is ready, rapid and reliable, offering peace of mind through our:
Expertise and certification
Our team is fully certified by the Rhode Island Department of Health for lead abatement. We have extensive experience in handling hazardous materials safely and professionally, and we can address minor restoration projects and significant property concerns.
Comprehensive approach
We start our process with an in-depth assessment of your property to identify all sources of lead contamination. Our process includes lead testing, customized abatement plans and final clearance inspections to ensure we've eliminated all lead hazards.
Safety measures
Our team follows strict safety protocols throughout the lead abatement process. We contain work areas to prevent lead dust from spreading, use protective equipment, and ensure all occupants are safe during and after the process. We also ensure proper and responsible disposal of all lead-contaminated materials to adhere to state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lead Abatement
With the severity of lead exposure and poisoning, we understand that you might have some additional questions about abatement. Take a look at these frequently asked questions to learn more:
Our process starts with a professional assessment and testing. Our team then completes the safe removal or encapsulation of all lead sources and provides a clearance certificate to testify to lead safety.
Abatement costs can vary depending on the size of your property and the extent of the lead contamination. We proudly offer free consultations to provide accurate estimates and avoid any surprises.
Typically, abatement projects can take anywhere from a few days to weeks, depending on the scope. At Rhode Island Restoration, we offer 24/7 emergency services and follow comprehensive steps to make the process as efficient as possible.
Depending on the extent of lead hazards, temporary relocation may be necessary while the abatement process is ongoing. There is no safe level of lead exposure, so leaving the property will be the best way to reduce exposure risks.
Ensure Your Home Is Safe From the Dangers of Lead Exposure
Rhode Island Restoration is your reliable service provider for addressing property needs. We’re certified to handle complex tasks, from water damage to environmental hazards that impact your life. Our emergency services mean you can rely on us 24/7 for assistance. With us, you can feel confident that you’ll receive personalized attention and comprehensive plans to address your needs and ensure your home safety.
Contact us today for a free consultation or property assessment. Call 401-414-1111 or schedule with us online to set up your appointment.
Linked Sources:
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lead-poisoning-and-health
- https://www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-sources-lead#older
- https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/leadtoxicity/physiological_effects.html
- https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/lead-exposure-and-kidney-function
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7912619/
- https://health.ri.gov/healthrisks/poisoning/lead/about/renovationrepairandpainting/
- https://rirestoration.com/environmental/
- https://rirestoration.com/water-damage/
- https://rirestoration.com/24-7-storm-fire-flood-damage-response/
- https://rirestoration.com/contact-us/
Contact An Expert
- 401-414-1111
- 1135 Charles Street, North Providence, RI 02904
