Question from Jenny, NS
My grandmother watches my two children and she has an old antique china cabinet in her dining/eating room. It is just there as decoration and no one uses it however it was probably a hundred or so years old and I am sure it is coated with lead paint. Do I need to be concerned with this around my children if they only eat in that room and don’t touch or play with the cabinet? It has a high sentimental value so i cant ask her to refinish or remove. Thank you
Debra’s Answer
No, you don’t need to be concerned if all they are doing is eating in the room and don’t touch it.
Lead is a particle, not a vapor. The danger comes through being absorbed through the skin or ingestion, such as children eating paint chips. Exposure could also come from inhaling dust that contains bits of lead paint, such as from sanding lead paint off of woodwork.
I think your kids are fine.
