That time I almost lead-poisoned my unborn baby and myself...
As my son says, “We’re getting a baby soon.” A flurry of activity to prepare this much anticipated arrival has been underway for a couple of months now. One of those activities involves convincing my 5-year-old son, Ulysse, that he should allow the new baby to have his old dresser because we built a diaper changing station on top of it and since he doesn’t wear diapers anymore, he can have a new dresser.
Photo by Taton Moise on Unsplash
At first he agreed, but then he must have thought about it some more and realized this baby was about to swoop in and steal all his stuff. He wasn’t having it. Sudden nostalgia. Intense attachment to the blue and green dresser with the cute little sea creature decals on the drawers.
So, I changed my strategy. Since he loves art projects, I offered to let him decorate his new dresser however he wants - consequences be damned! I got lucky and found a lovely wooden dresser with no stuck drawers or anything like that for only $25 (instead of the $250 it was looking like we’d be paying for something new.) I don’t know how old this dresser is, but it definitely had a few coats of paint on it - the top layer was latex, but the rest was a mystery.
I didn’t give it much thought to be honest until I was wearing a mask, wielding a sander, and covered in a layer of fine paint particles from head to toe last weekend. Then I sort of off-handedly said to my husband, Fab, “I wonder if they used lead paint on furniture back in the day…”
Photo by Jon Moore on Unsplash
As I showered, I thought about Flint, Michigan and all the children and families whose lives are forever changed for the worse by the effects of lead poisoning. Anything I had just stupidly done to myself and my fetus was nothing compared to the disaster of Flint, but I was suddenly very afraid. You can’t fix lead poisoning. I’m an adult, I’ll be fine, if a little wonky, but I can’t say the same for my 8 month fetus.
The near crisis was quickly resolved when we remembered we had some lead check tests left over from when we wanted to replace the windows of our 1966 house. Fab tested the top layer and the paint dust that was coating everything - NO LEAD. What a huge relief! (Of course there is some disagreement about how reliable these tests actually are.)
For an anxious few minutes there, I was feeling like a total, complete, absolute, irrefutable, fucking idiot. Why didn’t I think of lead BEFORE I started spending my time surrounded by paint dust with a baby on board?!?
We got lucky, but I can’t help wondering what I would have done if the result had been lead positive? Would there have been anything we could do? Would my midwife lecture me? I would have deserved it!
Photo by Amaury Salas on Unsplash
But really, how much exposure does it take to be harmful? Shit happens, right? Sometimes we unintentionally get mixed up in things we don’t know to avoid, or can’t avoid. How bad would it have been? I washed all the dust off of my body, but my clothes, the floor, the deck were all covered in the stuff. Would we have had to call Hazmat or could Fab have cleaned it up without all of our brains rotting out immediately?
Here are just a couple of the rather frightening misconceptions about lead paint that I found on the New York State Department of Health’s website:
"Some methods of removing lead-based paint actually do more harm than good.
True. Some methods, such as dry sanding, dry scraping, torching, or power sanding can create huge amounts of lead dust. Once the dust is released into the home, it can make occupants sick if it enters the body. Always use a method that creates the least amount of dust and fumes."
I was working outside, but I did nothing to reduce dust…
"Preparing to do the job is as important as the methods used to do it.
True. It’s important to take certain precautions to protect your family. Children and pregnant women should leave the work area. Remove all furnishings (even rugs, if possible) before beginning. The work area should be sealed with plastic and taped down to keep the lead dust in. Cover air vents and turn off heaters and air conditioning systems during renovation and remodeling."
Oops. I did not leave the area. Ulysse did some sanding too - with a mask, but probably not an adequate one.
Anyway, another close call. It seems as if we escaped this time. Life is so complex it is really a full time job to stay on top of all the dangers, best practices, things to do/definitely not do… It’s a wonder sometimes any of us are still alive. But, I guess that’s a testament to our resilience, too. In spite of how fragile we seem in some ways, our bodies do amazing things to protect us and help us recover (from so many things) and we just keep going.
Stay safe out there, everyone!
Please feel free to make me feel less desperately stupid and share something dangerous and foolhardy you’ve somehow survived…
Written with StackEdit.
What a relief to know it didn't contain lead. I have had many doozies over the years too!
I hope your little guy loves his new cupboard. Please share some pics when it is finished and good luck with a safe delivery of your little one.
Major relief! Thank you :-) I'll get a pic soon! It looks good - he chose good colors even if they are not at all what I imagined he would pick.
Congratulations for the new addition. Best wishes to you. Mine is due on november.
I think the cupboard will be really nice when its done.
Congrats to you too! I'll post a picture if I can remember to take one when he's not sleeping ;-) It does look really cute.
Congratulations! Your post has been included in week 4 of the Powa Moves curation post, which highlights quality writing and art from the #teamgirlpowa tag. 💖 Thanks for keeping @teamgirlpowa awesome!
Thank you! That is super exciting!
Thank goodness it was safe in the end! Congratulations on the new addition too :) A Steemit Baby on the way, How wonderful! :D xx
We are getting very excited - and a little nervous! but mostly excited...
Thank goodness it wasnt lead!
I think we, esp,as mamas, just tend to go about our daily lives and not even stop to think about our own safety. We just go on trying to finish our to-do list (which is 5,000 years long), and keep everyone fed & clothed!
Yes to all of the above! at least 5000 years - with someone always adding 2 things for each thing crossed off! I'm always moaning about how often we have to eat.
Oh this is pretty scary, I have been known to jump on board projects whilst pregnant and then go, shit maybe I shouldn't be painting a caravan at 9 months pregnant what with all those fumes, it's hard to remember that there are so many toxins out there, especially when you are not used to being around them so that when you are yu just don't click, that and being pregnant and feeling like everything will be okay. Really glad there was no lead and super excited that you are now 8 months not long now xxxx
So many exciting projects! Last time I was sanding and staining furniture and I also built a bookshelf and a couple of other things - we're unstoppable! But yeah, a little more brain power would help sometimes.
That was scary! Glad it wasn't lead positive! My close call was stretching myself out with a few chores at one go. Got tired, rested on the sofa and thought I was alright till I stood up a little too quickly and suddenly blank out. I didn't even know I collapsed sideway until I regained consciousness on the floor after a couple of seconds. I was the only adult are home and my 2yo was napping. Phew.
Oh my, I have nightmares about that kind of thing! So glad you were ok! I stood up too fast one time after trying to get my son to sleep when he was 3 months old or so...fainted and smacked my cheek on the crib, came to with my glasses across the room, my phone in my hand, blood running down my face and crying baby - had no clue what was going on. Took an hour to get ahold of my husband - but all was ok in the end. Close calls certainly can be a wake up call! We've got to take care of ourselves too :-)
Yes, it's been a constant reminder to me ever since. I know we mamas tend to hustle and outstretch ourselves so let's love ourselves more too! Hugs and smooth delivery! :)
Ooh close call D:
Glad to hear it was not lead and that your little one is enjoying his new cupboard. You're closer to your due date, right? Be safe and have a quick and easy birth!