Simonton Windows Offers YouTube™ Awareness Video on Lead Dust Poisoning in Homes

“An estimated 30 million homes in the United States today still contain lead-based paint, which can be extremely harmful especially to children,” says Gary Pember, vice president of marketing for Simonton Windows. “The friction created by opening and closing windows and doors coated in lead-based paint can generate lead dust, which contaminates the household. This harmful dust can be inhaled and inadvertently spread to other areas of the home.”

According to Rick Nevin, a consultant to the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH), the worst news is that young children, who crawl on floors and have hand-to-mouth contact, are especially susceptible to the harmful effects of lead poisoning. “Research indicates that the everyday activity of opening and closing windows creates friction that then allows invisible lead dust to enter the air,” says Nevin.

“Young children, who crawl on the floor where the lead dust has settled, can be especially at risk,” according to Nevin. “Toddlers put their hands in their mouths ... and after playing on the floor near a window, they can easily transfer the lead dust into their mouths. The ingested lead travels through the bloodstream to a child’s developing brain, causing many types of neurobehavioral damage.”

The awareness video created by Simonton Windows has been posted on YouTube to educate homeowners and encourage them to review their homes for lead paint issues. Simonton also offers free materials and more information on lead safety issues on its website.