Hi all,
I've just started to look at repainting the exterior of an IP. The house is an old weather board. I purchase a lead testing kit ($22) to test the paint. Anyway it came back positive :-(
So I did a bit of research and thought that I would add my findings here for others. The main concern is for children who may live in your IP at a later date, but also applies to you as a renovator.
Here is how I intend to approach the job. Its not going to be fun.
- Lay plastic sheeting on the ground
- Wet scrap off flaky paint with water bottle spray and scraper
- Bin the plastic with the old paint particles
- After scraping then use wet and dry to get rid of those edges from the scraping (using the spray bottle again)
- Clean with sugar soap sponge and bucket with gloves
- Use a green scourer for surfaces that are painted with no flaky paint
- Rinse and sponge with fresh water
- Hit it with an enamal undercoat
- Then two acrylic top coats
- Use a P1 or P2 respirator filter and gloves and disposable overalls
The main issue is contaminating the soil. If the lead gets into the soil then it can sit there for ages and kids come along in the future and can be effected severely (check out some of the links that I included). Also pets go out and rub into the soil and then take the led particles into the home.
- Properties prior to 1970 will typically have led based paint
- There is less chance that the paint on the roof has led in it, however, it is possible
- Led based paint was use inside and out
Personally I think that we as landlords have a responsibility to ensure that the properties that we rent out are as safe as possible. I could pobably get away with letting the paint go into the soil but then that would be the wrong thing to do. Its surprising that many profeesional painters dont know about it either (or atleast dont practice removing paint safely).
- Led can be absorbed thorugh the skin and breathed in. Apparently, you can even get it from food that has been grown in contaminated soil. When it gets into your system after some time it ends up in your bones and can lead to all sort of problems later apparently like cancer etc.
Cheers Panda
Master painter list of pinters that know how to deal with lead
www.lead.org.au
Vitamins that minimise the bodies intake of lead
C, iron, and zinc, calcium
ACNEM organisation www.ACNEM.org
The below is futher information. Its basically a cut a paste from information I have been gathering. Its sort of unorganised.
****************
Department of Human Services, Environmental Health Unit - for health advice about lead issues in the home Tel. (03) 9637 4156
http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/mao/leadbasedpaint.htm
Use lead safe work practices
The following work practices will help to minimise hazards from lead.
Pregnant women and children should move out during renovations until the clean-up is finished.
Always use an Australian Standard AS1716 approved respirator fitted with P1 or P2 filters, and coveralls to protect yourself.
Wash hands, face and hair, and change clothes when you finish work.
Don't carry cigarettes or smoke in the work area, as you can breathe in lead dust in the cigarette smoke. Wash hands before smoking.
Seal the work area off from the rest of the house and outside by covering floors doors and windows with plastic and tape. Remove household items cover them with plastic. If working outside lay plastic under the work area.
If painting, use appropriate work practices and avoid open flame burners or power sanders.
Never use your home vacuum cleaner to clean up lead dust. Most domestic machines are not fitted with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter and lead particles will travel through the machine contaminating the area. HEPA machines can be hired.
Don't sweep, but wet-wash the work area with a phosphate detergent, then rinse with clean water.
Always dispose of waste in sealed plastic bags in your rubbish disposal. If in doubt, check with your local council or the Environment Protection Authority.
contact the Environmental Protection Agency in your state
http://www.deh.gov.au/atmosphere/airquality/publications/housepaint.html
The Six Step Guide to Painting Your Home, available free by calling 1 800 803 772.
1800626086
I've just started to look at repainting the exterior of an IP. The house is an old weather board. I purchase a lead testing kit ($22) to test the paint. Anyway it came back positive :-(
So I did a bit of research and thought that I would add my findings here for others. The main concern is for children who may live in your IP at a later date, but also applies to you as a renovator.
Here is how I intend to approach the job. Its not going to be fun.
- Lay plastic sheeting on the ground
- Wet scrap off flaky paint with water bottle spray and scraper
- Bin the plastic with the old paint particles
- After scraping then use wet and dry to get rid of those edges from the scraping (using the spray bottle again)
- Clean with sugar soap sponge and bucket with gloves
- Use a green scourer for surfaces that are painted with no flaky paint
- Rinse and sponge with fresh water
- Hit it with an enamal undercoat
- Then two acrylic top coats
- Use a P1 or P2 respirator filter and gloves and disposable overalls
The main issue is contaminating the soil. If the lead gets into the soil then it can sit there for ages and kids come along in the future and can be effected severely (check out some of the links that I included). Also pets go out and rub into the soil and then take the led particles into the home.
- Properties prior to 1970 will typically have led based paint
- There is less chance that the paint on the roof has led in it, however, it is possible
- Led based paint was use inside and out
Personally I think that we as landlords have a responsibility to ensure that the properties that we rent out are as safe as possible. I could pobably get away with letting the paint go into the soil but then that would be the wrong thing to do. Its surprising that many profeesional painters dont know about it either (or atleast dont practice removing paint safely).
- Led can be absorbed thorugh the skin and breathed in. Apparently, you can even get it from food that has been grown in contaminated soil. When it gets into your system after some time it ends up in your bones and can lead to all sort of problems later apparently like cancer etc.
Cheers Panda
Master painter list of pinters that know how to deal with lead
www.lead.org.au
Vitamins that minimise the bodies intake of lead
C, iron, and zinc, calcium
ACNEM organisation www.ACNEM.org
The below is futher information. Its basically a cut a paste from information I have been gathering. Its sort of unorganised.
****************
Department of Human Services, Environmental Health Unit - for health advice about lead issues in the home Tel. (03) 9637 4156
http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/mao/leadbasedpaint.htm
Use lead safe work practices
The following work practices will help to minimise hazards from lead.
Pregnant women and children should move out during renovations until the clean-up is finished.
Always use an Australian Standard AS1716 approved respirator fitted with P1 or P2 filters, and coveralls to protect yourself.
Wash hands, face and hair, and change clothes when you finish work.
Don't carry cigarettes or smoke in the work area, as you can breathe in lead dust in the cigarette smoke. Wash hands before smoking.
Seal the work area off from the rest of the house and outside by covering floors doors and windows with plastic and tape. Remove household items cover them with plastic. If working outside lay plastic under the work area.
If painting, use appropriate work practices and avoid open flame burners or power sanders.
Never use your home vacuum cleaner to clean up lead dust. Most domestic machines are not fitted with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter and lead particles will travel through the machine contaminating the area. HEPA machines can be hired.
Don't sweep, but wet-wash the work area with a phosphate detergent, then rinse with clean water.
Always dispose of waste in sealed plastic bags in your rubbish disposal. If in doubt, check with your local council or the Environment Protection Authority.
contact the Environmental Protection Agency in your state
http://www.deh.gov.au/atmosphere/airquality/publications/housepaint.html
The Six Step Guide to Painting Your Home, available free by calling 1 800 803 772.
1800626086
