Everyday Items From 100 Years Ago That Are Now Illegal
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Walls Lined With Danger
Lead-based paint.
Lead was a common additive in household paint for decades, prized for its durability, color, and moisture resistance. Unfortunately, lead is a potent neurotoxin, and peeling paint chips (which have a sweet taste) pose a severe poisoning risk to children. The U.S. government banned lead-based paint for residential use in 1978, though it still exists in millions of older homes.