Lead Paint Warning
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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:
34 Responses to “Lead Paint Warning”
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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
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December 31st, 2009 at 9:27 am
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January 26th, 2010 at 4:40 am
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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
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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
October 8th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
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There are numerous categories for home painting; Exterior, interior, furniture and ceilings are just a few, and there is a good chance that many homeowners who have tackled a home improvement project have dabbled in some, or all of them. New homes or large scale renovations that require interior decorating painting will likely require a qualified painting contractor to help get the job done. If you have a painting project you need help with you may decide to enlist a professional residential contractor If you would rather have contractors come to you why not post your job online in the myTradesDirect ‘Post a Project’ area.
December 2nd, 2010 at 12:52 am
I think your warning about lead paint is very helpful to me and the entire person who read this blog. Thanks for posting.
December 20th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
I have been painting 14 years, and I have never come across lead paint.
February 2nd, 2011 at 5:27 pm
I received 1 st business loans when I was very young and it supported my business a lot. But, I require the auto loan once more time.
March 13th, 2011 at 8:44 am
Lead is also added to paint to speed drying, increase durability, retain a fresh appearance, and resist moisture that causes corrosion. However it is one of the major health and environmental issues with paint. In some countries lead continues to be added to paint intended for domestic use whereas in others regulation exists that prohibits this, though lead paint may still be found in older properties painted prior to the introduction of such regulation e.g. in the U.S. and the U.K. and Australia.
March 20th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
Thank you for the blog. I think that all painters should read this blog. It is very important that awareness is raised on this issue. People do not realize they are living with poison on their walls!
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April 19th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
I have been painting 14 years at http://www.westvalleypaintin.com, and I have never come across lead paint.
April 23rd, 2011 at 11:13 am
Thanks for the advice. I always feel like the worst part is taking my clients through rooms but it’s important to be thorough. Thanks!
May 4th, 2011 at 7:05 am
Hi Thanks for posting this article. This article will let readers aware of the health danger to homeowners using this product during those times. Nowadays we have numerous brands of house paint which are environment-friendly and health-friendly as well. For instance, Mythic paint possess those two good things. As a matter of fact, Harbor Hardgood has line of comprehensive paint brands including Mythic Paint. http://www.acehardgoods.com/harbor/home/home.aspx
May 19th, 2011 at 5:08 pm
Thanks very useful post.
June 5th, 2011 at 7:22 pm
I found your post very interesting as I am running a local painter store in Highgate Australia. I agree that this method is going to the right track to succeed in this industry. I will be in touch with your blog. I am giving my sincere thanks to you for giving us an insight on what’s going on. It will greatly affect our business, maybe good and maybe bad.
If you’re looking for a Painters in Highgate, follow the link.
August 23rd, 2011 at 2:59 am
What are the basic precautions to be taken care off?
August 26th, 2011 at 5:13 am
I am surprised to read that Bryce has never come across lead paint before after 14 years of painting. I have been a professional painter for 6 years and I have found lead paint twice.
October 2nd, 2011 at 9:31 am
Thanks for the share though I am already aware of these coz I am also a painter by trade… I really don’t recommend using this kind of paint for safety and health purposes esp. for my clients.
October 27th, 2011 at 5:36 am
Hi as a paint pro myself, this post was very interesting. Yes lead is a dangerous element and should be avoided, especially when removing old paint.
January 1st, 2012 at 1:25 pm
great information,
Texas requires professional painters to get led certified, this was right in line with what they taught in the required class.