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This material is presented for the benefit of anyone
involved in a house remodeling or renovation project. It will alert you to the hazards involved in handling lead
based painted surfaces and will provide useful methods you can use to minimize or eliminate exposure to
lead. We recommend that all concerned parties obtain additional information from recognized authorities prior
to initiating any work involving houses with lead-based paint.
The age of the house is closely linked with the presence of lead-based paint (see graph). Better than 90
percent of pre-1940 houses contain lead-based paint and almost two-thirds of houses built in the 60's and
70's contain lead-based paint. Contrary to popular belief, expensive houses are more likely to contain
lead-based paint than their more modest counterparts. This is due to the use of better paints (with more lead)
in the more expensive houses. On the other hand, less expensive houses may not have been maintained as
well and the paint is more likely to represent a greater hazard.
HEALTH
RECOMMENDATIONS
If your family has been exposed to lead dust or flaking lead based paint
on or around house surfaces or lead in the water. The HouseMasler
Technical Staff advises that everyone, particularly children age 6 and
under, be screened for lead poisoning. Since the early symptoms of lead
poisoning are often confused with other illnesses, it is dificult to
diagnose lead poisoning without medical testing. Early symptoms may
include persistent tiredness, irritability. loss of appetite. stomach
discomfort.
reduced attention span. insomnia and constipation. Failure to treat
children in the early stages can cause long-term or permanent health
damage. Lead is also hazardous to adults who can suffer from pregnancy
problems, high blood pressure, nerve disorders. muscle and joint pain, and
memory/concentration problems. |
LEAD-BASED
PAINT ABATEMENT AND INTERIM CONTROL
There are several options available to address lead-based paint hazards in
residential properties, including:
• Paint Removal. Elimination of lead-based paint is not a do-it yourself
project. Done improperly, paint removal can increase the level of lead
dust and put the workers and house occupants at greater risk. Contact your
state health department for information about contractors who can safely
remove lead-based paint.
• Encapsulation. Paint surfaces are covered with a special coating that
relies on adhesion to the lead-based painted surface; nothing is
mechanically fastened to the surface. Mere painting or wallpapering is not
an acceptable method of encapsulation. While this approach to lead paint
abatement is often the least expensive option. it is the most
unpredictable in terms of its long-term effectiveness.
• Enclosure. The lead-based paint surface is enclosed by installing a
rigid, durable barrier that is mechanically attached to building
components with all edges and seams sealed with a sealant. For broad
surfaces such as walls, ceilings, floors and siding, enclosure is often
considered less expensive and less hazardous than replacement and paint
removal.
• Replacement. Where the lead-based paint is localized to a few elements
such as a window or door, replacement of the element is probably the most
cost effective option. Caution should be taken to avoid creating lead dust
in the removal process. Again. professionals should be considered for any
removal projects.
LEAD
IN WATER
Lead in household water may be the result of lead leaching from old lead
water mains delivering water to the house, interior lead pipes and
lead-containing fittings or from lead solder used to join household copper
piping. If the lead piping is the culprit. replacement is an option
although most homeowners resolve their household lead concerns with point
of entry (whole house) or point of use water filters. Quality filter
products perform well in reducing lead levels in drinking water.
LEAD
IN SOIL
Exposure to lead in soil and exterior dust can occur both outside during
play and inside from soil and dust carried into houses on shoes, clothing,
pets or other means. Soil abatement, as opposed to interim controls, is
generally appropriate when lead is present in extraordinarily high
concentrations. Soil abatement methods include soil removal and
replacement, soil cultivation, soil treatment and paving with concrete or
asphalt.
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