Lead Paint Warning
Posted by admin
Lead was added to paint until 1978. So if you are painting a house constructed before1979, lead paint was almost certainly used to paint it. If you are old enogh, you must remember that lead was also added to gasoline until it was made illegal to do so.
I realize that Internet etiquette dictates not to use capital letters and that it is considered shouting, but I wanted to keep this serious warning intact. I copied this warning right off of the lid of a paint can. I want to make this common knowledge. I know that people rarely read the warnings on labels of any kind, so I am putting this lead paint warning here so that it will be read and taken to heart.
WARNING! If you scrape, sand or remove old paint, you may release lead dust. LEAD IS TOXIC. EXPOSURE TO LEAD DUST CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ILLNESS, SUCH AS BRAIN DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN. PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD ALSO AVOID EXPOSURE. Wear a NIOSH approved respirator to control lead exposure. Clean up carefully with a HEPA vacuum and a wet mop. Before you start, find out how to protect yourself and your family by calling the National Lead Information Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD or log on to www.epa.gov/lead .
Don’t panic, lead paint poses no danger if it is intact and undisturbed. Flaking or peeling paint does pose a danger to children if they chew on paint chips. Paint chips have a sweet taste, so be careful, and remove all peeling or flaking paint. Where lead paint poses a hazard is when painting or renovations are done. That is when sanding and scraping can put lead dust in the air and have it settle on surfaces.
Starting in April 2010, federal law will require that anyone performing renovations, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities and schools built before 1978 must be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Until that time, the EPA recommends that anyone performing these repairs, renovations or painting in pre-1978 structures follow these three simple rulea:
-CONTAIN the work area
-MINIMIZE dust
-CLEAN up thoroughly
If you have a contractor paint your home, make sure they follow these work practices.
In addition to lead-based paint, non lead-based that is in use today requires special precautions to avoid harm to your health. I am going to copy another warning off of a paint can to make sure that you read it. It is as follows:
CAUTION:
Use only with adequate ventilation. To avoid overexposure, open windows and doors or use other means to ensure fresh air entry during application and drying. If you experiencine eye watering, headache or dizzines, increase fresh air or wear properly fitted respirator or leave the area. When spraying, wear proper respiratory protection. Adequate ventilation is required before sanding or abrading the dry film. If adequate ventilation cannot be provided, wear an approved particulate respirator [I always use a dust mask when sanding because I like my lungs.] In all cases follow respirator manufacturer’s direction for respirator use. Avoid contact with eyes and skin. [Wear safety glasses with side shields.] Wash thoroughly after handling. Do not take internally. Close container after each use. FIRST AID: In case of eye contact, flush with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Get medical attention. If swallowed , get medical attention immediately.
I don’t want to scare you away from your painting project or even hire a contractor to paint your home. I also don’t want to scare away any new professional painters. It is a great job. I have been doing it for years, and my health is excellent.
I had to inform you of all of these hazards because it is very important. Go to the government web site for a lot more information on lead-based paint. I am glad that you now know about all of these hazards. Like everything else in life, it pays to be careful. Take care.
CAUTION:
13 Responses to “Lead Paint Warning”
Leave a Reply
April 1st, 2009 at 8:58 pm
This is good information. I don’t see how the government can track all of the renovations and I bet most painters will not take the time to get certified.
I’m sticking to new jobs and repaints on newer homes.
Dave Drew
Phoenix, Arizona house painting contractor for 18 years.
http://www.drewpainting.com
September 17th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
good information in your blog . Thank you!
September 29th, 2009 at 4:40 am
great information! this is great post for everyone!
Peter
Canvas paintings
November 16th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Where can I find tutorials for gimp Uzar thus????
December 31st, 2009 at 9:27 am
I just want to thank you a lot for this interesting site. I have just made a favorite of your site, when I’m not so busy I am going to have to do some deeper surfing of your blog. Well back to searching for Honolulu floor installation
January 26th, 2010 at 4:40 am
Great post. I’ve been looking for this exact information for a while now. Bookmarked!
March 3rd, 2010 at 4:33 pm
Great post. I’ve been looking for this exact information for a while now. Bookmarked!
March 24th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Great information here, bookmarked & trackbacked. Always like reading great info. of the industry I love the most ~Cal
April 6th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
I’m going to bookmark this blogg on Mixx to get more views for you.
May 20th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
very good and useful inormation for me , thanks to giving it. i wish next post will be more batter than it
May 24th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
I’ve been looking for this precise info on this topic for a long time. Bookmarked and recommended!
June 7th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Great article but most people I’ve talked to are not even aware that their house painter has to do these things to assure everyone’s safety. In some areas I’ve heard that your painter may even have to certify their ability to do this type of work. Many independent contractors are saying they won’t pay any fees to get that certification. I’ll follow your future posts. Thanks!
A House Painter in Minneapolis
June 14th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Create article. Very useful information. Tacoma Wa Painters