How To Get Rid Of Lead Paint

Photo of a man removing paint from a window frame. Atomic number 82 may come from a number of sources. The biggest source of non-occupational exposure to lead is lead-based paint.

Until 1965, many paints on the New Zealand market had high atomic number 82 levels. This was particularly true of pre-1945 paints.

Even if a building has been recently painted, it may have been painted with lead-based paints or have layers of old paint covered by modernistic pigment.

Today only special-purpose paints contain lead, and these are conspicuously labelled.

It'south not possible to tell lead-based paints past their appearance, but in that location is a simple test that tin can discover whether the paint is a wellness adventure. If a edifice was built in the 1980s or earlier, it is best to presume that it has been painted with pb-based pigment. Contact the health protection officer in your local public health unit if you are unsure.

Lead poisoning

Untreated lead poisoning in both adults and children tin cause brain harm and tin can even exist fatal.

Children, especially pre-schoolers, are especially at hazard from lead poisoning. Minor children may swallow paint fries and contaminated soil, especially when playing outdoors. Their hands, toys or food may exist contaminated and the lead swallowed when they are playing or eating. Contaminated soil tin can be brought indoors by animals or on people'south clothes and shoes.

Many adults and children with lead poisoning will accept either very vague or non-specific symptoms such as:

stomach pains
difficulty sleeping
constipation
loss of appetite
or no symptoms at all.

Children who may take no obvious symptoms tin can still suffer some encephalon damage over a period of time.

If your kid has more astringent symptoms, such as weakness or difficulty walking, get medical attention as before long as y'all can.

If you think your child may have been exposed to paint dust, flakes of old paint, soil with paint dust in it, or may have chewed some onetime paint, ask your medico to bank check your child'due south blood atomic number 82 level.

Pets oftentimes show symptoms of lead poisoning before people. If your pet is unwell, and a vet diagnoses lead poisoning, have a doctor cheque all members of your household for lead poisoning.

Health and condom

The Wellness and Safety at Work Act requires employers to provide a safe working environment for employees. Employees and self-employed people are also required to protect themselves and others from harm. This includes contractors.

Removing lead-based paint from a edifice can crusade harm to both the person doing the job and the people in the building. Young children who may swallow lead flakes are especially at risk. Unborn children can also be affected when the female parent has lead poisoning and the lead is passed to the baby across the placenta.

Take precautions to reduce the risk of atomic number 82 poisoning.

Safety points for removing pb-based paint

Whatever method y'all use for removing lead-based paint, always take the post-obit precautions.

If y'all're removing paint from the inside of your house, remove the curtains and furniture from the room and cover the carpets before beginning the job. After sanding, wet wipe surfaces to remove dust and and so use a commercial vacuum cleaner fitted with a high efficiency dust filter.
If you're removing the paint from the outside of a building, make sure all windows and doors are closed to forbid contamination inside.
Collect all paint debris on a groundsheet large enough to contain all the droppings. If you're working on a scaffold, tie a sheet underneath to catch falling paint. If you're removing paint past water blasting, effort to collect all flakes of paint from the surrounding area.
Make clean the area around the groundsheet with a commercial vacuum cleaner fitted with a high efficiency dust filter to collect whatever other pigment debris. Dispose of the contents immediately. Subsequently sanding, wet wipe surfaces to remove dust and then apply a commercial vacuum cleaner fitted with a loftier efficiency dust filter.
Wrap up all paint droppings securely and, for small amounts, put out with the household pass up drove or take to the rubbish tip. If in doubt, check with your local city or district council.
Practice not burn pigment droppings.
Continue children and pets away from the work area and make sure they don't eat or play with paint debris.

Protecting yourself while removing lead-based pigment

Before eating nutrient or smoking, carefully wash and dry out your face and hands.
When not actually working, change out of contaminated overalls (especially if dry sanding). Wash contaminated dress separately.
Before treatment children, carefully wash and dry out your face and hands and change out of contaminated wearable.
To foreclose dust accumulating in your hair, clothing a hat or cover your hair (especially when dry sanding).
When sanding, making dust, or burning off pb-based paint, article of clothing a good quality, properly-fitted, toxic dust respirator. If using a disposable type, only those with double headstraps are suitable. Respirators should encounter the requirements of the Australian/New Zealand Standards AS/NZS 1716:2012 (Respiratory Protective Devices) and Every bit/NZS 1715:2009 (Selection, utilize and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment). Further advice on respiratory protective equipment is available on WorkSafe New Zealand's website.
Practice not smoke while removing paint as the manus-to-oral fissure contact may increase the run a risk of eating or inhaling lead pigment grit.

Methods of removing paint

Method	Safety measures
Wet sanding: This is the preferred option to reduce dust.	Ensure that any balance is cleaned up.
Scraping	Ensure any debris is collected and the area cleaned upwardly.
Annoying blasting: Check any WorkSafe New Zealand or regional quango requirements.	Not to be used for properties and structures built or painted earlier 1970 or for boats considering of the atomic number 82 content of the paint and the large amounts of uncontrolled dust generated.
Blasting with rut: An electric paint stripper, hot air blower or accident torch volition heat the pigment and blister it, so that information technology tin be scraped off. Note that the utilise of a accident torch will produce lead fumes. Beware likewise of fire chance.	Wearable a toxic grit respirator if using a hot air blower, accident torch or electrical paint stripper. Have a fire extinguisher or h2o handy in case of fire. If using a blow torch indoors, brand sure that windows are open up.
Chemicals: Usually used for modest surfaces such as window frames.	Vesture safety glasses, overalls and gloves to avoid contact with the skin. Proceed the room well ventilated. Follow whatsoever instructions on the label.
Dry sanding by hand or machine: This method is strongly discouraged due to the increased levels of pb containing particles that can become airborne. Still, if unavoidable sanding machines, such as orbital sanders, disc grinder sanders, pistol grip disc sanders and belt sanders should be fitted with vacuums where possible and the safety measures should exist strictly adhered to.	If you use any type of machine, wear a toxic dust respirator. This is important fifty-fifty when using a belt sander with an extraction purse (only partially constructive). Comprehend footing/carpets with a dust sheet. Keep children and pets abroad from piece of work area.
Waterblasting: For outside surfaces.	Clean up paint flakes. Utilize h2o to flush debris to a collection point for disposal. Prevent flakes spreading to other properties.

Further advice is contained in Guidelines for the Management of Lead-based Paint.

Effect of lead on the garden

Vegetables and fruit grown in soil contaminated by lead-based paint are prophylactic to consume as long as they are carefully washed to remove dust and soil from the leaves on the outside of the plant.

If rubber precautions haven't been taken, soil may be contaminated and the tiptop layer may need to be removed.

More information

If you need information on occupational safety and health matters, freephone WorkSafe New Zealand on 0800 030 040, or visit the WorkSafe website.

If y'all require data on technical aspects of painting, contact the representative of a paint manufacturer.

If you need further information on atomic number 82 poisoning, contact a wellness protection officeholder in the public health unit of measurement of your local DHB.