What to Do and Who to Call if the Paint on Your Building Contains Lead

Lead-based paint, once commonly used in homes and buildings, can pose serious health risks, especially if it begins to deteriorate or is disturbed during renovations. Lead exposure can lead to serious health issues, including developmental delays in children, neurological problems, and organ damage in adults. If you suspect that the paint on your building contains lead, it's crucial to take immediate action to ensure the safety of yourself, your family, or your workers.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps you should take if you discover lead paint in your building and explain who you should call to address the issue properly.

Step 1: Confirm Whether Your Building Has Lead Paint

The first step is to confirm whether your building contains lead-based paint. Lead paint is most commonly found in homes and buildings built before 1978, when it was banned in residential properties by the U.S. government. However, if you live in a building that was constructed before this date, there is a high likelihood that lead paint was used.

Signs Your Building May Contain Lead Paint:

• The building was constructed before 1978.
• The paint is chipping, cracking, or peeling.
• You notice significant dust or debris around painted areas that have been disturbed.
• Children or pregnant women live in the building or work in the area where paint may be disturbed.

While the age of the building is a good indicator, it's important to conduct a proper test to confirm whether lead paint is present.

How to Test for Lead Paint:

1. Lead Paint Test Kits: You can purchase a lead paint test kit from a hardware store or online. These kits typically involve rubbing a special swab on the painted surface, which will change color if lead is present. While this method is convenient, it is not always the most reliable.
2. Professional Testing: The most accurate way to determine if your paint contains lead is to hire a certified professional to conduct a test. A certified lead inspector or risk assessor can perform a more comprehensive test using an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) device, which can detect lead without disturbing the paint.

Step 2: Avoid Disturbing the Paint

If you suspect or know that your building contains lead-based paint, it’s important not to disturb it, as doing so can release harmful lead dust or particles into the air. This is especially dangerous if the paint is peeling or chipping.

Safety Measures:

• Limit Access: Restrict access to areas with deteriorating lead paint. If the paint is chipping or peeling, it can create hazardous dust that can easily spread to other areas of your home.
• Don’t Sand or Scrape: Avoid sanding, scraping, or using power tools on areas where the paint may be lead-based. These activities can release lead dust, which is harmful when inhaled.
• Clean Carefully: If you need to clean areas with deteriorating paint, use a damp cloth to wipe surfaces, which helps minimize dust. Avoid using dry dusters or sweeping, as this can stir up lead dust.

Step 3: Call a Certified Professional

Handling lead paint properly requires expertise and specific safety measures. If you suspect that your building contains lead-based paint, it’s critical to contact a certified professional who specializes in lead paint removal or remediation.

Who to Call:

1. Lead Paint Inspector: A certified lead paint inspector can assess your building and determine if lead is present in the paint. They can also take samples and send them to a laboratory for analysis to confirm the presence of lead.
2. Lead Abatement Contractors: If lead paint is confirmed, you will need to hire a lead abatement contractor. These professionals are specially trained and licensed to remove lead paint safely and according to government regulations.
3. Certified Risk Assessor: If you are planning renovations or construction in a building with suspected lead paint, a certified risk assessor can evaluate the potential risks and develop a safe remediation plan.
4. Local Health Department: If you suspect lead exposure in children or workers, contact your local health department. They may be able to test for lead exposure and provide guidance on next steps.

Step 4: Plan for Safe Lead Paint Removal

Once you’ve confirmed the presence of lead paint, it’s important to plan for safe removal. Lead paint removal must follow specific guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and local regulations. The goal is to eliminate lead paint hazards while preventing contamination of other areas in the building.

Methods of Lead Paint Removal:

1. Enclosure: One option is to enclose the lead-painted surface by installing a new surface, such as drywall, over the leaded area. This method is often used when complete removal is not necessary or practical.
2. Encapsulation: Encapsulation involves applying a special coating or paint over the lead-painted surfaces to seal them off. While this method is not a permanent solution, it can be effective in situations where the paint is stable and not deteriorating.
3. Removal: The most thorough method is to completely remove the lead-based paint. This can be done through wet scraping, sanding, or using a chemical stripper. It’s essential that these activities are done by a certified professional using the proper protective gear to avoid exposure to lead dust.

Step 5: Dispose of Lead Waste Properly

Lead-based paint and any materials contaminated with lead dust must be disposed of properly to avoid environmental contamination and health risks. Certified lead abatement contractors will be familiar with the proper disposal procedures, but if you’re handling it yourself, make sure to follow these guidelines:

• Contain Waste: Place lead-contaminated materials, such as paint chips, dust, and used cleaning cloths, in heavy-duty plastic bags or containers. Seal these bags tightly to prevent the spread of lead dust.
• Follow Local Regulations: Disposal regulations vary by location, but generally, lead waste must be taken to a hazardous waste facility. Never dispose of lead waste in regular trash bins.

Step 6: Post-Removal Cleaning and Safety

After the lead paint is removed, it’s important to conduct a thorough cleaning to ensure that all lead dust is gone. This includes cleaning the entire area using a wet mop or cloth, as well as using a HEPA vacuum to remove any remaining dust.

Lead Dust Clearance Testing:

After the work is done, it’s crucial to have the area tested for lead dust before you return to the space. This clearance test, performed by a certified risk assessor, ensures that the space is safe for re-entry. Only once the area is cleared should you allow anyone, particularly children, to occupy the space.

Step 7: Prevention for the Future

Once the lead paint has been safely removed, consider implementing strategies to prevent future exposure to lead:

• Regular Inspections: Periodically check for signs of deteriorating paint and address issues before they become a larger problem.
• Preventative Coatings: If lead paint cannot be fully removed, a professional can apply protective coatings to stabilize the paint and prevent dust or chips from becoming airborne.
• Safe Renovation Practices: If you plan to renovate or make changes to your building in the future, ensure you follow all lead-safe work practices, and hire certified professionals to handle any lead-containing materials.

Conclusion

Dealing with lead-based paint in your home or building requires careful attention to safety and proper protocols. If you suspect that the paint on your building contains lead, take immediate action to confirm its presence and prevent exposure. Always wear protective clothing, avoid disturbing the paint, and call certified professionals to handle testing, removal, and disposal. Lead paint removal is not a DIY project for most people due to the health risks involved. If you don’t feel comfortable tackling the project yourself, or if the job seems too large or complicated, don’t hesitate to hire a professional lead abatement contractor. Their expertise will ensure that the job is done safely, effectively, and in compliance with all regulations. Protect your home and health by addressing lead paint hazards with caution and care.