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Post by braided-rug on Nov 5, 2007 10:36:25 GMT 10
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Post by violet on Nov 9, 2007 16:31:16 GMT 10
Lead was used in paint until the 1970's. "In Australia, up to the 1950s, paint used on houses could contain as much as 50% lead. Although the lead content of paint was limited to 0.25% by 1970 - and is currently limited to 0.1%, lead paint is still responsible for the majority of childhood and renovator lead poisoning." As for water: "Drinking water is rarely discussed in Australia as a source of lead poisoning. If your plumbing system dates from the 1930’s, lead pipes may have been used. The concern for most homes however arises out of the common use of lead based solder on brass fittings and copper pipes up until as recently as 1989 and on the use of lead in brass and bronze fittings. As a result of corrosion, there is a potential for the lead to leach into the water after prolonged contact. It is therefore the consumption of first flush water- the first cup of tea or baby bottle in the morning – which presents a hazard." This information is from www.lead.org.au/fs/fst13.htmlWhen we bought our current house 19 years ago, there was not much information available about renovating older houses (ours was built in 1929) and of course there was no www! So I sanded and painted and fixed the place myself, to save money, and was careful about dust and disposal only because I'm tidy. It was horrible to find out that it could have posed a health risk. (and still may have - who would know?) I'm so pleased that this sort of information is widely available now, and that there are much friendlier products available to the home renovator. |
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Post by braided-rug on Nov 9, 2007 17:04:09 GMT 10
Thankfully in the end we decided on new taps, and we are also getting new pipes. It is amazing though that somehow I have always run the tap for a sec or two, not sure what the original reason was. Outside it would have been spiders. Maybe just to check the temperature? I know my Mum does it. Thanks for the information violet.  Isn't it amazing that the pipe issue isn't discussed. |
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Post by braided-rug on May 8, 2008 14:37:43 GMT 10
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Isn't it amazing that the pipe issue isn't discussed.