Home Remodeling and Lead Poisoning

When undertaking any kind of home remodeling in pre-1978 homes, make sure lead-safe work practices are used. They include:

  • Have the existing paint or finish tested by a lead professional. This is especially important if there are or will be children living there.
  • Keep anyone who will not be doing the remodeling or renovation out of the work area. This is especially true for children, pregnant women and pets.
  • Break large projects into smaller projects to control the amount of lead dust created. Clean up after each stage of the project. Do not use a belt-sander, propane torch, high temperature heat gun, dry scraper, or dry sandpaper to remove lead-based paint. These tools create large amounts of lead dust and fumes
  • Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter vacuum cleaner. A regular home vacuum cleaner does not do as good a job and can't pick up tiny dust particles that may contain lead.
  • Use a NIOSH-certified respirator that is properly fitted. These respirators fit over the nose and mouth and have a HEPA filter in them. The filter removes lead dust particles from the air that is breathed. Regular dust masks cannot protect against lead dust.
  • Wear protective clothing such as overalls, shoe covers, goggles, face shields, hats, and gloves.
  • Change clothes and shoes before leaving the work area.
  • Wash work clothes separately from regular clothes.
  • Shower and wash hair right after finishing work.
  • Do not eat, smoke, or drink in work areas.
  • Use heavy-duty polyethylene plastic sheeting to cover areas exposed to lead dust. Be sure to use plastic to seal off work areas. Use duct tape to hold plastic in place.
  • Use "wet methods" (e.g., spraying, sponging, or mopping a surface) when cleaning to keep lead dust from spreading.
  • Consider having a clearance test performed.

For more information read Lead Paint Safety: A Field Guide for Painting, Home Maintenance, and Renovation Work (PDF)

In Chicago, contact the Department of Public Health, (312) 747-LEAD [5323] for information on a Lead Safe Work Practice (LSWP) training.

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