SOME of the MANY SOURCES of INDOOR AIR POLLUTION - CONTINUED

• Lead dust from sanding lead-based paint - Can kill you too! Wear a   particle mask!

• Many cleaning products - not all are toxic - Distilled White Vinegar is a great cleaner

• Moth balls

• Perfume, hair spray, cosmetics

• Perfume, hair spray, cosmetics

• Pesticides - Virtually none are safe around parrots

• Pesticides - Virtually none are safe around parrots

• Pet dander, fur, feathers

• Radon

• Remodeling products

• Scented candles

HEAVY METAL POISONING

ZINC POISONING:  Manufacturers use zinc in adhesives to keep them supple.  Example:  the glue used on adhesive Velcro.  Zinc is also found in galvanized dishes and wire, paints and paint removers, clips & staples, snaps, zippers, keys, carpenter’s nails and nuts, costume jewelry and/or metal beads, hanging window or shade pulls, pennies, Monopoly game pieces (these are 09% zinc), brass, chrome.     

LEAD POISONING:  One of the most common poisonings in avian practice. Due to their curiosity, birds will pick up objects, chew and occasionally swallow small fragments. Lead is absorbed into the bloodstream from the digestive tract. It is then carried to the brain and also incorporated into the bone. It can also cause nervous system disorders and eventually lead to death.

There are many sources of lead around the household that you should be aware of as due to their inquisitive nature your pet bird could accidentally happen upon some: 

• Lead is common in weights such as curtain weights, cuckoo clock weights, fishing sinkers, and some toys (usually within)
• Shotgun shot and bullets are obvious sources
• Solder, putty, linoleum, mirror backing, costume jewelry, and some zippers are less apparent sources    of lead
• Ceramics not glazed to be food safe can contain lead
• Wine bottle foil has been the source of lead poisonings on several occasions in our practice.

The two most common sources of lead poisonings are lead-based paints and leaded glass. As most paints used now are not lead-based why does it still occur? Many times in older homes the birds will chew through the superficial layers of the safe paint to expose the lead-based paints beneath which are toxic. If you live in an older home keep a wary eye out for any evidence of chewing of paint by your birds.  

Also if you have any leaded or stained glass in your home, make sure that you keep your birds away from the lead surfaces. Even a small chip can cause toxicity.