For many parents, a safe and healthy home is the top priority. But what if danger is hiding in your walls, windows, or pipes—and you can’t see it, smell it, or touch it?

Lead exposure remains a concern in many older homes across Central New York, but the good news is that it’s preventable. While homes built before 1978 may still contain lead in paint, dust, or plumbing, simple steps like proper testing and professional remediation can create a safer, healthier environment for your family. Taking action now helps protect your child’s development and gives you peace of mind.

This article will help you understand how lead affects children’s health, the sources of exposure in your home, and how lead remediation can make your environment safe again.

Why Is Lead So Dangerous for Children?

Lead is a toxic metal that, when ingested or inhaled, can damage nearly every system in the body—but it’s especially harmful to developing brains and nervous systems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), even low levels of lead exposure in children can result in:

1. Learning disabilities
2. Speech and language delays
3. Lower IQ and reduced attention span
4. Behavioral problems
5. Poor academic performance
6. Slowed growth and development

There is no safe blood lead level for children, and the effects of lead exposure are often permanent. What makes the situation even more alarming is that children may appear healthy even while high levels of lead accumulate in their bodies.

Where Does Lead Exposure Happen in the Home?

In Central New York, many homes were built before the 1980s, meaning they may contain:

1. Lead-based paint (especially under newer layers)
2. Lead-contaminated dust from deteriorating paint or renovation work
3. Lead plumbing pipes and solder
4. Soil contaminated by flaking exterior paint or past industrial use

Young children are at the highest risk of exposure because they often put their hands or toys in their mouths and spend time crawling or playing on the floor, where lead dust tends to accumulate.

Learn more about the risks in our guide: Is Your Home Hiding Lead?

How to Know If Your Child Has Been Exposed

Lead poisoning is often called a “silent threat” because it doesn’t show obvious symptoms at first. That’s why pediatricians recommend regular blood lead level testing for children, especially those under the age of six living in high-risk areas or older homes.

Symptoms of lead poisoning can include:

1. Fatigue or irritability
2. Loss of appetite
3. Developmental delays
4. Abdominal pain or constipation
5. Learning or behavioral issues

If your child has tested positive for lead exposure, it’s essential to identify and eliminate the source immediately.

What Is Lead Remediation and Why Does It Matter?

Lead remediation is the process of identifying and safely removing or containing lead hazards in the home. At Green Tree Environmental, our licensed technicians perform thorough inspections and create customized plans to eliminate lead risks.

Key Steps in the Lead Remediation Process

1. Lead Testing & Risk Assessment: We use certified tools to detect the presence of lead in paint, dust, soil, or plumbing.
2. Containment and Removal: The safe removal of peeling paint, contaminated dust, or lead-based materials is achieved using EPA-approved methods and procedures.
3. Encapsulation or Enclosure: In some cases, surfaces are sealed with specialized coatings or covered with new materials to prevent exposure.
4. Cleanup and Clearance Testing: HEPA vacuuming and wet-wiping methods ensure all lead dust is removed. Post-remediation testing verifies that your home meets safe lead levels.

Green Tree Environmental is fully certified to perform lead abatement in accordance with EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Program standards.

The Long-Term Benefits of Lead Remediation

Eliminating lead from your home has lasting impacts that go beyond peace of mind. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lead exposure contributes to nearly 1 million deaths each year and is a key contributor to childhood intellectual disability globally.

Professional remediation helps:

1. Protect brain development and cognitive growth
2. Improve learning outcomes and behavior
3. Prevent future health complications
4. Increase home value and compliance with rental or resale regulations

For families in Central New York, lead remediation isn’t just a smart investment—it’s a life-changing decision for your child’s future.

About Green Tree Environmental

Green Tree Environmental provides certified lead remediation, mold removal, water and fire damage restoration, and basement waterproofing services across Central New York. Our team is trained to identify hidden hazards and deliver safe, practical solutions to protect your family and your home.

If you suspect lead in your home or your child has tested positive for exposure, don’t wait.