So, what IS the scoop on soy? Low in sodium and saturated fat, soy can help lower cholesterol and lower the risk of heart disease. An excellent source of vegetable protein and calcium, soy can help relieve menopausal symptoms, and protect against osteoporosis in women and prostate cancer in men.
Health experts recommend a diet with 25 grams of daily soy protein intake to reap the health benefits. One glass of soy milk contains about 8 grams. You can also add edamame (soy beans) to salads and soups (look for packages in the frozen-food section of your supermarket). Or substitute soy nut butter for your favorite peanut butter.
In 1976, the amount of lead that could be added to interior paints was limited by law, but exterior paints could still contain higher amounts of lead, provided they carried a warning label. Under the Surface Coating Materials Regulations, which came into effect in 2005, the lead limit was further reduced. Paint manufacturers could no longer add lead to their paint. Canadian manufacturers of interior and exterior consumer paints had already been voluntarily keeping to this limit since 1991. Prior to this, lead was commonly added to paint as it increased the durability of the paint, shortened drying time, and helped the paint resist moisture and corrosion.
If you have an older home and suspect that it might contain lead-based paint, do not use sanders, heat guns or blowlamps to remove it. They create dust and fumes that contain lead. Use a chemical paint stripper, preferably one with a paste that can be applied with a brush. Chemical strippers contain potentially harmful substances themselves, so use them carefully. Keep children and pregnant women away from the work area and always wear goggles, gloves and a good quality breathing mask.
Lead poisoning can lead to permanent developmental and behavioral problems in children who are exposed at ages younger than six, but it affects the health of adults as well. Even a small amount of lead in your system can lead to a wide variety of health issues, such as reproductive problems, high blood pressure, kidney failure, and convulsions. Pregnant women can transfer lead to their unborn child. Even pets are susceptible to lead poisoning.
If you aren’t sure about the lead content of the paint in your home, there are several steps you can take to find out. If your home is old enough, you may just want to assume that the paint is lead-based. If your home was built before 1940, there’s an 87% chance that it contains lead. A building constructed between 1940 and 1960 has a 69% chance of containing lead, and a building built between 1960 and 1978 has only a 24% chance. Lead test kits, which are are available at your local hardware store, can be used to determine the lead content of existing paint. Another option is to hire a certified inspector to determine which areas of your home contain lead-based paint.
While work is being done, be mindful of your family’s exposure to lead. Consider the area where work is being done off limits or stay somewhere else temporarily.
- Do not enter and exit your home through work areas.
- Ensure that work areas are entirely sealed off from the rest of the house, including ductwork.
- Turn off heating and air conditioning.
- Securely cover furniture that can’t be moved.
- Ensure a thorough cleanup.
If you have lead paint in your home, be sure to work with a certified contractor to ensure proper removal. Ask to see their certification. Before work begins, review plans with your contractor on how they plan to confine dust to the work areas and ensure proper cleanup after the work is completed.
Know the facts before you start. Get more information by visiting the Health Canada website.