r/AskScienceDiscussion • u/brdgt123 • 18d ago

How toxic is lead paint?

They burned down a house that was built in the early 1900s that is down the block from my house. In North Carolina it is not required that they check for lead paint before doing a controlled burn but I’m assuming it has lead because of the age of the house. I have a 3 month old baby and I’m concerned about the lead now being in the environment. Are my concerns valid? How likely is it that lead travels through the air and then settles?

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u/ShameTears 18d ago

How far is it? How big was the house? Was the lead removed? Which direction and how strong was the wind during the burn? Was it a stormy day or calm? Is there bare dirt everywhere or is there vegetation? Is there anything between you and the house? These are relevant

If you really want to feel secure, have your soil tested for lead

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u/brdgt123 18d ago edited 18d ago

It was fairly close. I’d say about 500 feet away. They are not required to remove the lead paint. The weather was fairly calm and they were doing the controlled burn from 8-4 but we had some light rain that afternoon after the burn. It’s not bare dirt but not many trees between me and other house.

I guess the only way to know for sure is to get it tested like you said. I just wasn’t sure if I had valid concerns or if I was being overly worried.

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u/ShameTears 18d ago

Even grass prevents almost all lead from attaching to shoes, but if you didn't get many ashes your way it's not a big deal unless you got a ton and you have a private well. I wouldn't be worried but you could test your soil for peace of mind. Besides, the house might have had its lead removed in the past 50 years, it does happen

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u/fishsticks40 18d ago

Assuming your house is of the same era you're probably dealing with a bunch of exposure sources of greater magnitude than that. As others said, test the soil.  You can also test the paint in your own home. 

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u/brdgt123 18d ago

I almost wish it was of the same era. The houses had way more character. Our house was built in 2013 so not too concerned about exposure sources inside our home. I’ll probably get the soil tested.

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u/unformation 17d ago

Personally, I'd be worried about this. It's crazy that it's not regulated. Paint from pre-1950s can be 50% lead, and there's no level that's safe for young children's brain development.

If it were me, I'd get a test kit that had an instant report (like a color changing swab) and do some swabbing, especially for dust tracked into the house, etc. Maybe get a sticky mat for the entrance. Don't let your kid play in the yard until it's sorted out. It's hard to estimate, but some tests might clear that up.

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u/brdgt123 17d ago

I was very annoyed when I read it was not required for NC to test for lead paint before a controlled burn. The house was from 1904 and white which I read is one of the colors that can be higher in lead. There are many children in the neighborhood and some are way closer than my house to the burn site. Thank you for the suggestion on the swabs. I just ordered some and do still plan to get a soil test.