CPSC Warns About Hazards of "Do lt Yourself" Removal of Lead
Based Paint: Safety Alert
Consumer Product Safety Commission
CPSC Warns About Hazards of "Do lt Yourself" Removal of Lead
Based Paint: Safety Alert
CPSC Document #5055
There is no completely safe method for "do-it-yourself" removal
of lead-based paint, according to the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission. Each of the paint-removal methods - sandpaper,
scrapers, chemicals, and torches or heat guns - can produce lead
fumes or dust. Fumes or dust can become airborne and be inhaled.
Further, dust can settle on floors, walls, and tables, and can
cause problems. It can be ingested by children from hand-to-mouth
contact. It can re-enter the air through cleaning (such as
sweeping or vacuuming) or by movements of people throughout the
house. Lead-based paint should be removed only by professionals,
trained in hazardous material removal, who follow detailed
procedures to control and contain lead dust.
Lead-based paint may be found on any interior or exterior surface
in an older home, particularly on woodwork, doors, and windows.
Heavily-leaded paint was used in about two-thirds of homes built
before 1940, one-half of homes built from 1940 to 1960, and some
homes built after 1960. In 1978, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission lowered the legal lead content in most paint to 0.06%
(a trace amount).
Lead-based paint is a major source of lead poisoning for children
and can also affect adults. Lead poisoning can cause brain damage
and can result in impaired mental functions. Lead poisoning in
children can result in retarded mental and physical development
and reduced attention span. In adults, lead poisoning can cause
irritability, poor muscle coordination, nerve damage to the sense
organs and nerves controlling the body, and may cause problems
with reproduction (such as decreased sperm counts). Lead
poisoning may also increase the blood pressure in adults.
Retarded fetal development can occur at even low blood lead
levels. Thus, unborn children, infants, young children, and
adults with high blood pressure have been identified as being
most vulnerable to the effects of lead.
Consumers themselves cannot tell whether their paint contains
lead. Before removing old paint, have the paint checked for lead
content. Some local or state health or housing departments can
suggest which private labs or public agencies can test your
paint for lead or how to obtain a sample for testing. If testing
is unavailable or costly, consumers should assume that older
painted surfaces contain lead.
Lead-based paint should be removed only by professionals trained
in hazardous material removal. Consumers should not attempt to
remove lead-based paint. Any attempt to remove lead-based paint
may create a serious hazard in the house. A trained professional
must follow very detailed procedures to minimize, control and
contain lead dust generated by the removal process. These
procedures are included in the Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) Interim Guidelines for Removal of Lead-Based
Paint. Homeowners should obtain the HUD interim guidelines and
assure that contractors use them. Homeowners should question
contractors about their familiarity with the following
procedures:
- The room should be sealed from the rest of the house. All
furniture, carpets and drapes should be removed.
- Workers should wear respirators designed to avoid inhaling
lead.
- No eating or drinking should be allowed in the work area. All
food and eating utensils should be removed from the room. All
cabinets as well as food contact surfaces should be covered and
sealed.
- Children and other occupants (especially infants, pregnant
women, and adults with high blood pressure) should be kept out of
the house until the job is completed.
- Clothing worn in the room should be disposed of after working.
The work clothing should not be worn in other areas of the house.
- Debris should be cleaned up using special vacuum cleaners with
HEPA (high efficiency particle absorption) filters. A wet mop
should be used after vacuuming.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
has evaluated methods for removal of lead-based paint. HUD has
contracted out to develop for removal of lead-based paint.
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