What Are the Dangers of Lead in Houston, TX?

Lead is a naturally occurring element that is found in the earth. It has some beneficial uses and can be found in gasoline, paint, plumbing pipes, ceramics, batteries, and more. If lead was once used to manufacture so many different products, why is lead exposure dangerous? Lead exposure can cause serious health problems for humans and animals. In high enough levels, lead poisoning can cause seizures, coma, or death. Excel Industrial Group is here to expose the dangers of lead in Houston, TX.

What Is Lead Exposure?

Lead exposure occurs when a person or animal inhales lead powder, dust, or fumes or ingests lead through their mouth or skin due to contaminated food or water, lead on clothing or other surfaces, or cigarettes. Children are more likely to be exposed to lead because they put their fingers and objects in their mouths. They may also develop lead exposure from eating soil or lead paint. Adults can be exposed to lead through their jobs or hobbies. Lead poisoning occurs when high levels of lead build up in the body, typically over months or years. Even small amounts of lead can cause problems, especially in children under six.

Understanding the Dangers of Lead Exposure

There is no safe level of lead exposure for young children. Even at low levels, lead exposure can cause illness, mental and physical disabilities, developmental issues, muscle pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, headaches, and stomach cramps. Lead poisoning or high levels of lead exposure can be deadly. The most common complications of lead exposure are:

• Developmental disorders and growth delays
• Cardiovascular problems
• Seizures
• Kidney disease
• Anemia
• Brain damage
• Nervous system disorders
• Reproductive health issues
• Chronic pain

Being Aware of Common Causes of Lead Exposure

Children and adults can come into contact with lead via contaminated air, soil, water, and food. You can also be exposed to lead through batteries, gasoline, or lead paint. The most common causes of lead exposure are:

• Paint
• Batteries
• Solder
• Pipes
• Pottery
• Roofing materials
• Imported cosmetics
• Water pipes
• Plumbing fixtures
• Copper pipes
• Food cans
• Imported goods
• Soil
• Household dust
• Imported toys
• Herbal or folk medicines
• Mexican candy
• Chocolate
• Bullets

Risk Factors for Lead Exposure

You may be more likely to be exposed to lead due to your age, environment, or occupation. The most common risk factors for lead exposure include:

• Age – Young children are more likely to be exposed to lead.
• Environment – People who live in older homes may be exposed to lead paint. You may also live or work in an older building that has contaminated soil or water.
• Hobbies or Job – You may be more likely to be exposed to lead if you work with lead-based products, such as those used in furniture refinishing, making stained glass, working with batteries, construction, and radiator repair.
• Use of Imported Goods – If you regularly use products from certain countries with less stringent manufacturing regulations, you may purchase food, cosmetics, supplements, medications, toys, jewelry, or other products that contain lead.

Lead Exposure Symptoms

Lead poisoning symptoms are different in infants, children, and adults. The most common symptoms of lead exposure in infants are:

• Premature birth
• Low birth rate
• Slowed growth

The most common symptoms of lead poisoning or exposure in children are:

• Developmental and growth delays
• Learning difficulties
• Loss of appetite or weight loss
• Fatigue
• Irritability and mood swings
• Abdominal pain, vomiting, or constipation
• Hearing problems
• Vision problems
• Seizures

The most common symptoms of lead exposure or lead poisoning in adults are:

• High blood pressure
• Cardiovascular problems
• Kidney problems
• Headaches
• Memory and concentration issues
• Joint and muscle pain
• Mood disorders
• Fertility problems
• Miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature birth

What to Do if You Recognize Symptoms of Lead Poisoning

If you think you or your child has been exposed to lead, you should call 911 or make an appointment with your doctor right away. If you aren’t sure if a product you’ve used or been in contact with contains lead, you should call the National Poison Control Hotline.

Why Choose Excel Industrial Group

At Excel Industrial Group, we specialize in environmental cleanup services, including contamination spill services, soil remediation, excavation of contaminated soil, onsite soil solutions, environmental assessments, onsite sampling and testing, and waste analysis. If you suspect you have lead on your property, our team will respond quickly to assess the paint, soil, water, or other materials and determine if there is a threat. If we do find evidence of lead contamination, we offer lead remediation and waste management solutions. We have over 25 years of experience in hazardous waste disposal and are committed to providing efficient, safe, and cost-effective solutions.

Learn More About Lead Abatement & Chemical Waste Management

Proper waste management can help you avoid the effects of lead exposure and keep your family protected. Please do not hesitate to call Excel Industrial Group now or contact us online to learn about our chemical trading and lead abatement services.

 

Chemical Repurposing in Houston, TX: What You Need to Know

Chemical waste management is a crucial part of manufacturing and industrial processes in Houston, TX. When chemicals are reused or repurposed rather than being sent to landfills, we can reduce our environmental footprint, save money, and prevent chemicals from going to waste. During the chemical repurposing process, chemical materials are evaluated for volume, safety, and viability to determine if they qualify for possible reuse. Excel Industrial Group can facilitate this process by analyzing your chemical and industrial waste, telling you how it can be repurposed, and connecting you with the right buyers or chemical traders. We will then safely remove and transport your chemicals to the new owner.

What Is Chemical Waste?

Chemical waste is any unused, unwanted, or leftover chemical material. Chemical waste can be classified as hazardous waste, non-hazardous waste, universal waste, or household hazardous waste. The rules and regulations surrounding how to handle, store, transport, and dispose of chemical waste depend on the type and amount of waste. Industrial waste is any waste produced by industrial activity that is no longer useful. It can be hazardous or non-hazardous and can be in solid, liquid, or gas form. Chemical and industrial waste can be generated by:

• Manufacturing
• Mining
• Mills
• Factories
• Textile and leather production
• Food processing
• Power plants
• Electronics manufacturing
• Construction and demolition
• Waste treatment and disposal facilities
• Cleaning companies
• Households/consumers

What Is Chemical Repurposing?

If chemical materials are still viable, they can be reused so they don’t end up in a chemical waste disposal facility. Ideal chemicals are ones that are unopened, unexpired, mostly full, and uncontaminated. The containers holding the chemicals must be in good condition and must contain the original manufacturer’s labels. Chemical waste repurposing may be possible for:

• Acids
• Alkalis
• Acetone
• Batteries
• Ethanol SDA
• Ethyl acetate
• Ethylene glycol
• Ferrous sulfate
• Glycols
• Hydrofluoric acid
• Methyl ethyl ketone
• Isopropyl Alcohol
• Metals like lead and aluminum
• Phosphoric acid
• Plastics
• Sodium hydroxide solution
• Solvents
• Some industrial byproducts
• Sulfuric acid

Repurposed chemicals can be used in many different ways:

• Scented fragrances used in shampoo can be repurposed for creating perfume.
• Mineral oil used by drug companies can be repurposed to make insect repellent.
• Isopropyl alcohol used in medical devices can be repurposed by printing companies.
• Surplus vitamins can be reused in water treatment plants.

Why Is Chemical Repurposing Necessary?

To reduce our environmental impact and limit the introduction of non-hazardous and hazardous chemicals into landfills and waste disposal facilities, we should commit to sustainable practices in an effort to create a circular economy. Some chemicals can be recirculated and reused, such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and surfactants. Chemical repurposing can save money, reduce environmental impact, and reduce the amount of chemical waste that ends up in chemical waste management facilities. The benefits of repurposing industrial waste and chemical waste are:

• Turn your unused chemical and industrial waste into an additional income stream for your company.
• Help you find a safe, environmentally friendly way to dispose of your chemicals.
• Reduce your environmental impact and make your company greener.
• Reduce your need for chemical waste disposal services.
• Save resources and money used to manufacture new chemicals.
• Keeps potentially hazardous chemicals out of landfills.
• Conserves natural resources.

How to Repurpose Waste from Chemical & Industrial Processes

Chemical waste management is crucial, as chemical and industrial waste can be hazardous and dangerous to the environment. Repurposing chemical waste keeps it out of landfills and allows it to find a second life. If the chemicals are viable, a chemical and industrial waste management company can connect you with a chemical trader or buyer. That company will negotiate a price, and the waste management company will arrange for the safe transportation of your chemicals to their new owner. Before chemicals can be repurposed, they must go through a stringent process:

• Analysis of Chemical Purity – The chemicals must be analyzed to determine if they are of sufficient purity for their new application.
• Established Efficacy or Viability – The chemicals must be tested to ensure they are still effective and viable.
• Safety – The chemicals must be proven to be safe, not contaminated or tampered with, and in a container that is in good condition.
• Properly Labeled – The chemicals must be properly labeled by their original manufacturer.

Why Choose Excel Industrial Group

If you are involved in a business that creates chemical industrial waste, it is essential that you have a waste management plan that complies with all local and federal regulations. Industrial waste can be chemical in nature and may be hazardous. Storing or disposing of unwanted industrial chemicals can create environmental hazards, but chemical waste can be kept out of landfills through chemical repurposing. With our chemical trading services, we can find buyers for your used or unwanted chemicals. Not only does this benefit the environment, but it can translate into extra income for your company. Acids, alkalis, and solvents are just a few of the types of chemicals that can be repurposed and used across different industries.

Contact Us for Chemical Waste Management Solutions

At Excel Industrial Group, we can help you turn potential waste into valuable resources for your company. We specialize in chemical waste management services, industrial waste transportation and disposal, waste analysis services, chemical waste transportation, and chemical trading. Call us now or contact us online to learn more.