Bruno Pugh
Lead exposure is a hidden danger lurking in many homes, threatening both children and adults with serious health problems like anemia, kidney damage, and even hearing loss. Shockingly, if your house was built before 1978, it’s likely coated in lead-based paint. So, what can you do to protect your loved ones from this silent threat? Don’t wait—read on to uncover the essential steps you need to take to ensure a safer home.
Test for Lead Paint
Start by checking for the presence of lead paint. You can hire a certified lead inspector, which will cost you more, or use DIY kits. However, please note that the latter option will not be as accurate as the first. Still, checking will help you know what next step to take and which places to focus.
Don’t Disturb Lead Paint if Intact
Lead paint can be left alone when in good condition, meaning there is no need to worry as long as there are no cracks, peels, or other negative signs. Just use encapsulated paint to create a barrier between the paint and people at home. Only worry about it when it’s deteriorating or you want to renovate.
Hire Certified Professionals
For renovating and repairing areas with lead paint, give that job to a qualified and certified contractor. With their training and specialized equipment, they can handle lead and minimize the risk of inhalation or ingestion. Their experience handling lead means it will be safer if you leave it for them.
Use Proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
You shouldn’t work on an area with lead paint without using the appropriate protective gear, such as a respirator with a HEPA filter. This specific respirator protects you from inhaling lead dust, so don’t just use random air filters. Safety goggles and disposable gloves keep your eyes and hands safe. Wear protective overalls, too.
Seal Off the Work Area
Ensure your workspace is completely sealed off from other house parts. Tightly shut all doors that lead to this part of the house and spread heavy plastic sheets on the floor. Check the sides of doors and block any openings. You can use a study tape, such as duct tape to seal the sheets and block tiny escapes.
Ventilate the Space Carefully
While ventilation in work areas is important, it must be done strategically. You can open some windows to improve air circulation, but avoid opening those close to other windows that lead back into the house. A negative air machine with HEPA filters is invaluable for ventilation in this situation.
Wet Sanding and Scraping
If you have to remove the paint or smooth its surface, use wet methods. For instance, let’s say you’re sanding; a wet sponge or sandpaper will reduce the amount of dust that flies into the air. Likewise, if you need to scrape paint, mist the surface with water first to keep dust levels at a minimum.
Avoid Power Sanding or Hot Air Blower
Some power tools, such as electric sanders and hot air blowers, shouldn’t be used on a lead paint surface. Here is why: electric sanders reduce the lead paint into fine dust, which is easy to inhale; hot air blowers can convert the lead into fumes and cause lead air pollution. Anyone in the vicinity without proper gear may inhale lead this way.
Cover Flooring and Furniture
If you can’t empty the room you’re renovating of furniture and other items, seal them off with heavy plastic sheets. Lead dust can settle on them, and it’s even harder to get them off soft items like woolen chairs and carpets. Tape the coverings at the edges so they don’t slip off.
Properly Dispose of Lead Waste
After your work, carefully dispose of your lead waste. Use heavy plastic trash bags that are not easily testable and double-bag them. You may want to label them as “hazardous” or “containing lead” to prevent anyone from touching them or so that waste collectors can handle them with extra care.
Wash Hands and Clothes Thoroughly
Immediately after you’re done working with lead paint, wash your hands, face, and any part of your skin that was not adequately covered while you worked so you don’t ingest the particles. Throw your work clothes away, but if you can’t let them go, wash them separately from other garments.
Limit Exposure for Children
Everyone who is not assisting you with your work should stay far away from your work zone, especially children aged five and below, because they are the most vulnerable. It’s best if they aren’t at home at all. If they must be home, they should be in the farthest room from your work zone and under strict supervision.
Use HEPA Filters for Clean-Up
A HEPA vacuum cleaner is one of the best things to use when cleaning up after work. Your everyday vacuum cleaner may not catch the particles or hold them well. They may even send dust into the air. Professionals recommend HEPA cleaners because they can trap lead dust particles and make cleaning safe.
Try Wet Mopping for Residual Dust
Vacuuming may not remove everything, so wet mopping is one more thing you can do to remove whatever dust is left. Use water and a mop to clean the floor, and for places you can’t use a mop on, like window sills and table tops, use a damp cloth to wipe them multiple times.
Stay Educated
It’s your responsibility to stay up-to-date on handling lead paint in your home, regardless of whether you’re replacing it or covering it. Keep your eyes out for new developments and, from time to time, actively search for the latest information. Find out if there are local regulations for dealing with lead and follow them.