Sanding down old lead-based paint

Press, 12 August 1982, Page 29

Sanding down old lead-based paint

Houses built more than about 20 years ago have probably been painted with a lead-based paint. If this paint is to be removed before repainting, it is essential that dust from the paint should not be breathed in by the person cleaning down the surface, or by anyone else nearby. If no precautions, are taken, dust will be inhaled ■into the lungs and get into

the bloodstream. Excessive lead absorption will cause lead poisoning. Manual sanding of small areas, or light sanding, is not likely- to cause any problems but it is recommended that an efficient, dust mask is worn.

If lead paint is to be removed from a large area of a house, then the operator must wear an efficient mask, and drop sheets must be used to collect up as much dust as possible. The area should be vacuumed to ensure complete removal of the dust. Wet sanding reduces the amount of dust circulating in the air and the area on which it falls. Belt sanders which include a vacuum bag are available, and these reduce the incidence of dust. Also available is a flail type of abrader which removes paint in pieces rather than as dust. Other methods of removal are by burning off (but ensure fire precautions, as well as wearing a mask to avoid breathing in particles), and by using solvent type paint remover (but ensure good ventilation and avoid contact with the skin).

* An electric hot-air tool is now available which is probably safer to handle than the conventional blow lamp. Water blasting is another method of surface preparation which reduces the possibility of dust ingestion. Waste must be disposed of by burying where it can not cause contamination of soil since, children, dr pets, can be affected by paint dust or flakes which contain lead.