Lead paint is a toxic substance that can cause serious illnesses and other problems in adults and children. Before the 80's, it was not known that lead based paint caused health problems, so it was used then. However, now everyone knows how toxic it is, and it is no longer in use. However, when it was in use, it was responsible for many illnesses and even deaths in individuals, especially young children.

One of the ways that the presence of lead paint is discovered in children is through their elevated blood levels. When high blood levels are detected in children, their homes are usually tested for lead based paint.

If the toxic paint is found in the home, then the children must be removed to a safe location until the toxic paint is gone. If you are not sure if your house is safe from toxic paint, then it is best to get it tested.

There are licensed lead inspectors or risk assessors that can help you determine if your house is safe, and what you need to do if it is not. In many cases, the lead inspector can also search your home for asbestos fibers in your home, which is another highly toxic and environmentally unsafe substance to have in your home.

If you are not familiar with asbestos, then you should know that it was used in older homes as a way to prevent fires and other home disasters, since it is flame resistant and does not conduct electricity. Unfortunately, it was later found to be highly toxic to the human body, causing cancer, asbestosis and other such issues. Many lead based paint specialists can also deal with an asbestos problem.

The main indicator that determines lead exposure is through elevated blood levels in the body. If a doctor detects a high blood level in a child, then he will probably suggest a lead paint test for the child's home. If lead based paint is found, then the children must be removed from the premises until all the lead is removed.

If you think that you might have paint that contains lead in your home, then testing is a good idea. A licensed risk assessor can help determine if your house is safe from the toxic presence of lead. A risk assessor can also help determine if there are other toxic materials in your home as well, such as asbestos fibers.

Asbestos was used in older homes to reduce the risk of fire, as asbestos is flame retardant, and resists electricity. Later it was found that asbestos causes mesothelioma cancer and was discontinued from use.

Lead paint is a very toxic substance to the body. It causes serious illnesses, especially in children. Therefore, it is impossible to be too careful when dealing with lead based paint.

If you feel your house might be at risk, then you can call a risk assessor to test your indoor air quality to see if your home environment is safe. If not, he or she can tell you what you should do to eliminate the substance.