Question from Hannah
Question about my bathtub…
I had my house spot-tested for lead today in preparation for a possible remodel next year.
The thing that tested highest for lead was the bathtub.
I knew this was a possibility but had not had it really on my radar until recently.
The lead inspector said that it was not an issue at all – that the lead from bathtubs does not leach and poses no danger to my kids.
But I was a bit skeptical as I have a 5.5 year old and a 1.5 year old who bathe in the tub nightly. so far their blood lead levels have always been
Do you consider the lead from a tub to be a hazard?
If so my options are to avoid that bathtub entirely and just have them shower in the newer bathroom upstairs that only has a shower stall.
Or I could refinish the bathtub.
My understanding is that the refinishing would be highly toxic and we would have to leave the house for it. But for how long would it be toxic? More than a week? Do you know how long the porcelain glaze takes to fully outgas?
Would love your thoughts as always. Thanks 🙂
Hannah
Debra’s Answer
I wrote about lead in bathtubs in Home Safe Home in 2004. It was first reported in 1995 on the television show Good Morning America.
Tests showed that hands ribbed along the side of the tub, bath water allowed to sit in the tub, and washcloths soaked in bath water and rubbed on the bottom of the rub all tested positive for lead.
But here’s the interesting thing. I recently learned that lead is not absorbed through the skin. What happens is that lead gets on hands and then children put their hands in their mouths, or children and adults pick up food and it gets on the food and that’s how lead gets in the body.
That said, keep in mind there is no safe level for lead.It’s something to be very careful with. Personally I wouldn’t allow my children to soak their bodies in a tub leaching any amount of lead.
Lead is a heavy metal, so if you are concerned about lead exposure, PureBody Liquid Zeolite detox drops will remove any lead that is accumulated in your body or your children’s.
If you want to refinish your bathtub, you would probably need to leave the house for it. If I remember correctly, they use lamps to cure the porcelain glaze. Call a company and find out the details. Once cured, porcelain glaze is totally nontoxic.
