What is the primary lead-based paint concern for children?

The primary lead-based paint concern for children is indeed related to window sills. This is because window sills are high-traffic areas where children are likely to come into contact with lead dust or deteriorating lead paint. Children often play on or near windows, and the friction from opening and closing windows can create lead dust that settles on surfaces, including window sills. This dust can easily be ingested or inhaled, which poses significant health risks.

Moreover, children are more vulnerable to the effects of lead exposure due to their developing bodies and behaviors, such as hand-to-mouth activity. In homes built before the 1978 ban on lead-based paints, window sills are a common source of lead hazards, making them a critical focus for lead abatement efforts to protect children's health.

Other areas, like walls, ceilings, and floorboards, also pose risks but are less frequently in direct contact with children compared to window sills. Additionally, the accumulation of dust on window sills makes them particularly hazardous as children can easily come into contact with this dust during daily activities. Thus, safeguarding window sills plays a vital role in lead poisoning prevention strategies for children.