Lead-based paint sanding, scraping

Some individuals and families may be exposed to additional lead in their homes. This is particularly true of older homes that contain lead based paint. In an attempt to reduce the amount of exposure due to deteriorating leaded paint, the p>aint is commonly removed from homes by burning, scraping or sanding. These activities have been found to result to at least temporarily, in higher levels of exposure for families residing in those homes. Special... 

The major cause of lead poisoning is lead-based paint. A child does not, however, have to eat paint chips to become lead poisoned. Any time lead-based paint is disrupted there is a potential for lead poisoning—whether the paint is rubbed against, sanded or scraped, chewed on, or simply falling off. 

Renovating old houses can result in very dangerous lead exposure, particularly in do-it-yourself operations. Whenever you disrupt paint—that is, whenever you sand, scrape, or strip a surface that has been painted with lead-based paint or perform any demolition or removal of windows or other building parts attached to a lead-painted wall, even if it is covered with other paint or wallpaper—you could be putting lead dust into your living space where it can be ingested by children if you do not take the proper precautions. 

Lead dust can form when lead-based paint is dry scraped, dry sanded, or heated. Dust also forms when painted surfaces bump or rub together. Lead chips and dust can get on surfaces and objects that people touch. See Figures 1.1 and 1.2 for examples... 

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