(I promise I will research and post about something other than lead soon. This particular issue has been surrounding me lately. Stay tuned, themes such as health/body care, organic food, and more on plastics will be explored in upcoming posts!)
After the saga described in the last post, I called two experts about lead in homes and lead removal. I called the Vermont Department of Health, who were helpful but annoyed that I took up some time and asked lots of questions. The program director for Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, Ron Rupp, took loads of time with me and gave me solid, clear information about how to handle our lead problem.
One shocking thing he did say was to dispose of the lead painted items in our home with the regular trash, headed for the landfill. I stopped and asked him again if it was environmentally resposnible to send lead into our landfills. He said that since lead is immobile, meaning staying put where it is, barely any of it leeches out of a lined landfill. I was surprsied, to say the least. Here was a lead expert, telling me someting different then other environmental health experts (see below post about not throwing away lead filled toys), no wonder people are confused!! I asked about toys and he said if the manufacturer won't take them back, to throw them out as well. He said that the amounts and risk are very small. Lead debris from house renovations are even exempt from the Hazardous Waste laws.
So--live and learn! Non-Toxic Kids recommends: Try to take back recalled lead toys to the place of purchase. If you can't for some reason, throw it out (that feels so strange to write). As for home renovations-- check your state's laws about lead disposal. In Vermont, though, house renovation debris is headed to the landfill, and apparently, surprisingly, it is the best option for disposing of lead waste.
