Lead Alert! FAQ

I am renovating, should I have my ceiling vacuumed first?

The removal of ceiling dust before renovating is extremely important. Dust should always be removed before installing attic ladders, skylights or breaching the ceiling in any way, this is especially so if you live in an older style home; however any home can have toxic pollutants that are gathering in the ceiling. Cleaning of your roof cavity should be done by professionals as ceiling dust can contain dangerous toxins that are harmful to you and your family.

Ceiling dust can contain toxins such as:

• Lead
• Pesticides
• Chemical pollutants
• Rat, mouse & cockroach dung
• Dust mites
• Asbestos particles
• Formaldehyde
• Other heavy metals

Can I see if there is any toxic dust leakage from my walls or ceilings?

Yes in some instances you can see the effects of toxic dust leaking into your home. It is a sure sign when you see black trails of dust near cornices or cracks. Dust leakage from ceiling vents and wall roses are another problem leakage area to look out for. If you see any signs in your home of toxic dust leakage then contact the team at Lead Alert and we will gladly help you with our professional opinion and expert service.

What is lead and is it dangerous?

Older homes built in Australia will have lead dust in their ceiling and wall cavities and under the floor boards. The lead dust has accumulated over many years during the normal day to day routine of living. Houses built pre 1970 also have the added drawback of being painted with lead paint that over time has broken down, other things that have contributed to the lead build up in homes are occurrences such as industrial pollutants, leaded car exhaust fumes, the burning of fuels such as coal or wood.

Lead enters our bodies via breathing or eating and drinking. We either breathe in the lead dust that is floating in the contaminated air or we digest food stuffs that contain lead particles. Lead stays inside our bodies building up over time and causing health problems.

Lead affects all occupants of the house even pets. Young children and pregnant women are mainly at risk. Children can grow up experiencing learning difficulties, attention and behavioral problems, hearing loss and growth deficiencies when exposed to quantities of lead. Adults on the other hand can experience, high blood pressure, infertility and joint and muscle pain when exposed to lower levels of lead, or memory loss, nerve problems, and even fits during higher levels of exposure.