Victorian renovators are being urged to watch out for lead poisoning when working on older houses this summer.
Contaminated paint dust can easily be inhaled or eaten by children and affect the brain, the reproductive system, kidneys, blood and immune systems, the Victorian Department of Health said on Monday.
Anyone painting a house or doing maintenance that could disturb lead-based paint should take precautions like wearing protective clothing and thoroughly cleaning up, Victoria's chief health officer Professor Charles Guest said.
