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LEAD
- WHAT IS LEAD ABATEMENT? - It's the process of safely reducing lead
paint hazards.
LEAD PAINT ABATEMENT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS if done improperly, so: IT'S BEST TO HIRE
PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTORS to remove lead paint from your home.
CONTACT LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES to find out about the lead paint abatement regulations in your state.
DEPENDING ON YOUR STATE'S REGULATIONS, you can use this site as: A STARTING POINT for learning the basic facts about abatement, especially if you're considering doing the project yourself.
A HANDY REFERENCE to make sure your contractor is taking the necessary precautions to protect your family's health.
WHY SHOULD I CARE ABOUT LEAD PAINT? - Because lead can be poisonous.
LEAD WAS USED EXTENSIVELY IN PAINT until 1978. Most homes built before then contain some lead paint. Worn, cracked or peeling lead paint poses the greatest risk.
DUST FROM LEAD PAINT IS THE MAIN CAUSE OF LEAD POISONING in homes. Lead dust is created any time a surface coated with lead paint is subjected to friction -- for example, when a window is repeatedly opened and closed. This dust can be inhaled or swallowed.
Learn more about the dangers of lead paint.....
LEAD CAN HARM YOUR HEALTH!
LEAD CAN CAUSE LASTING HARM to the brain, kidneys, nervous system and blood.
This damage may lead to:
high blood pressure - anemia - mental retardation - learning and behavioral problems
convulsions - paralysis - kidney failure - coma - death
YOUNG CHILDREN ARE AT GREATEST RISK because they tend to put things in their mouths. Children may get lead dust on their hands and then put their hands in their mouths, chew on surfaces coated with lead paint, eat chips of lead paint.
WOMEN OF CHILD-BEARING AGE ARE ALSO AT RISK because lead may be stored in their bodies.
If they become pregnant, the lead may be carried to their unborn child and cause:
miscarriage - premature death - birth defects or developmental problems.
USUALLY, THERE ARE NO SYMPTOMS OF LEAD POISONING, and those that do occur are often
confused with symptoms of other illnesses. Lead poisoning may cause:
stomachaches - headaches - cramps and constipation - nausea and vomiting
fatigue - irritability - vision problems
loss of appetite - sleeplessness.
ALL CHILDREN UNDER 6 SHOULD BE SCREENED
most children should be screened at 12 to 15 months of age
high-risk children should be screened at 6 months of age
all children should have follow-up screenings, as recommended.
CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN or local lead poisoning prevention program if you suspect that you or anyone in your family may have been exposed to lead.
You can help prevent lead poisoning.....
USE CERTIFIED LEAD ABATEMENT CONTRACTORS ---for safety's sake.
CONTACT YOUR STATE ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY, health department, or local building and housing agencies for recommendations.
MAKE SURE ALL SURFACES ARE TESTED to be sure those coated with lead paint are identified.
CHECK THE QUALIFICATIONS or contractors. Make sure they are properly trained and certified. Ask for references.
BE FAMILIAR WITH ABATEMENT TECHNIQUES so you can make sure contractors take proper precautions. Improper abatement can increase your health risk!
IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO HIRE A CONTRACTOR: PRACTICE GOOD HOUSEKEEPING - if paint isn't flaking, it may be best to simply clean the area 2-3 times a week with a damp cloth and a high-phosphate detergent. CALL YOUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT - for information on testing and abatement techniques.
BEFORE ABATEMENT BEGINS, these steps must be taken to protect yourself and your family!
HAVE BLOOD TESTS to check the lead levels of everyone who lives in your home. Your health department may provide free blood tests.
INSPECT YOUR HOME FOR LEAD PAINT ---especially non-intact surfaces such as chipping or peeling paint, or paint that's subject to friction. Develop a management plan that identifies:
all possible lead-painted surfaces
procedures to abate non-intact surfaces
plans to protect intact surfaces
regular inspections of lead-painted surfaces.
RELOCATE CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN until abatement and cleanup are completed. Women of child-bearing age may want to consider moving out, too. Have your home checked by the health department before children and pregnant women return.
MAKE SURE THIS WARNING IS POSTED at all entrances to the work area:
"WARNING - - KEEP OUT - - DANGEROUS LEAD WORK AREA"
SOME COMMON METHODS OF ABATEMENT
ENCLOSURE is often the easiest method to use. The lead paint is covered with flexible wall covering, paneling or gypsum board. Enclosure works best on large, flat surfaces that are not subject to friction.
REPLACEMENT involves removing the material coated with lead paint entirely and replacing it with new material. It's one of the best methods for doors, windows and moldings.
ENCLOSURE is often the easiest method to use. The lead paint is covered with flexible wall covering, paneling or gypsum board. Enclosure works best on large, flat surfaces that are not subject to friction.
REPLACEMENT involves removing the material coated with lead paint entirely and replacing it with new material. It's one of the best methods for doors, windows and moldings.
PAINT REMOVAL may be done on or off the worksite. On-site paint removal often creates large amounts of lead dust, fumes and mists, and is best left to professionals.
ENCAPSULATION coats and seals lead paint. It's less expensive than more thorough methods of abatement, but it's not suitable for surfaces subject to abrasion.
ANY METHOD OF ABATEMENT CAN BE DANGEROUS if not done properly.
Keep in mind:
THE ENTIRE SURFACE MUST BE ABATED if any part of the surface is coated with lead paint- -especially if the paint is chipping or flaking. This means no patching.
THE BEST METHOD SHOULD BE USED for any given job - - the method that will create the least amount of lead dust.
ADEQUATE BARRIERS MUST BE USED to prevent lead dust from entering the environment. Paper wall coverings, contact paper or a coat of fresh paint should not be used - - they are not durable barriers.
SOME METHODS ARE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS!!
They can create large amounts of lead dust and fumes. These methods should not be used. They include:
sanding with a power grinder or electric plane
burning with a torch or heat gun
sandblasting
using chemical removers.
CERTAIN PROCEDURES MUST BE
FOLLOWED DURING ABATEMENT!
THE AREA MUST BE SEALED OFF - - all openings (doors, windows, ducts, etc.) must be sealed with 6-mil plastic sheeting.
FURNITURE MUST BE REMOVED, as well as carpets, drapes, etc. Everything remaining must be covered with plastic dropcloths. Newspaper or fabric dropcloths are not adequate.
MASKS OR RESPIRATORS MUST BE USED - - they must be approved by the federal government for lead paint abatement. (Paper masks should not be used.)
EATING, DRINKING AND SMOKING ARE NOT ALLOWED because dangerous dust and fumes are
in the air. Chewing gum and tobacco are prohibited, too.
WORKERS MUST WASH THEIR HANDS AND FACE and change their clothes every time they leave the area, and before they eat. Work clothes must be washed separately from family laundry.
ACCESS MUST BE LIMITED - - no one may enter without proper protective equipment.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) MUST BE USED PPE OFTEN INCLUDES:
disposable coveralls
respirator or mask
goggles
shoe covers or booties
gloves.
BEFORE ENTERING the abatement area, workers must:
SELECT THE PROPER PPE for the hazards they're likely to face.
PUT ON PROTECTIVE CLOTHING in a clean area.
MAKE SURE PPE FITS properly and is in good condition.
STORE STREET CLOTHES in a clean area.
UPON LEAVING the abatement area, workers must:
VACUUM CLOTHING with a HEPA vacuum (*see page 12) to remove loose dust.
ROLL OFF PPE to minimize dust.
PLACE DISPOSABLE CLOTHING with abatement waste. Washable clothing must be placed in a clearly marked laundry container.
CLEAN RESPIRATORS with soap and water. Dry thoroughly, and store in a plastic bag.
WASH HANDS AND FACE thoroughly.
CLEANUP IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP If abatement workers don't clean correctly, lead levels can actually increase!
MATERIALS NEEDED
A HIGH-PHOSPHATE DETERGENT, such as automatic dishwasher detergent
A HEPA VACUUM (high efficiency particulate accumulator) - - home vacuums are not able to filter out fine lead dust
6-MIL PLASTIC BAGS or sheet plastic and duct tape
DISPOSABLE CLOTHES, sponges and mops or mop heads.
STEPS:
1.TRASH MUST BE WRAPPED in double plastic bags. The bags must be sealed shut with duct tape.
2.SURFACES MUST BE VACUUMED with the HEPA vacuum.
3.ALL SURFACES MUST BE WETTED DOWN with water and high-phosphate detergent.
4.STEPS 2 & 3 MUST BE REPEATED after the surfaces are dry.
5.USED PLASTIC MUST BE DISPOSED OF properly (see page 14).
PROPER CLEANUP PROCEDURE:
*THE AREA SHOULD BE CLEANED EVERY DAY to remove lead dust as it accumulates. Workers should clean from the top down, so lead particles aren't rinsed into clean areas.
ALL SURFACES MUST BE CLEANED, including radiators, grills, shelves, window wells and sashes, areas covered with plastic, etc.
STEPS MUST BE TAKEN to keep lead out of other areas. The procedures on page 11 must be followed every time someone enters or leaves the abatement area.
WHEN ABATEMENT IS COMPLETED, the area is:
CLEANED one final time.
TESTED by the health department or a qualified testing company.
LEAD WASTE MUST BE DISPOSED OF PROPERLY Your state environmental protection agency can provide specific disposal requirements.
LEAD WASTE MAY INCLUDE:
paint chips and dust
woodwork that was removed
plastic bags and sheeting, and duct tape
used cleaning supplies
disposable work clothes, masks and respirator filters
waste water.
What happens during disposal:
ALL WASTE CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED:
"Danger - - Lead Hazard."
LIQUID WASTE MUST BE DISPOSED OF in noncorrosive containers. It must never be poured down toilets, drains or storm sewers.
ONLY APPROPRIATE LANDFILLS SHOULD BE USED - - landfills must have a permit to accept "special waste."
WASTE MUST BE KEPT COVERED while transporting it to the disposal site.
LEAD WASTE MUST NOT BE BURNED - - it can contaminate the air with dangerous amounts of lead.
SO...
DON'T LET LEAD HARM YOU OR YOUR FAMILY BE AWARE of
potential lead paint hazards. - SPREAD THE WORD about the dangers of lead poisoning.
STAY SAFE during abatement by making sure proper procedures are used.
Make sure you home is safe from lead paint hazards!