It's not enough to just strip off old paint in the nursery or home to remove the lead danger; the dust or fumes can still seriously harm children, warns Barbara Millar
Paint containing lead has not been sold in the UK since 1950. But until it was prohibited, white lead was the most common white pigment in primers and topcoats applied to wooden surfaces. Coloured lead-based pigments were also used in some gloss paints and wall paints.
Old lead-painted surfaces that are in good condition - or have been painted over with modern paints and then kept in good condition - are normally not likely to be a hazard. But any that are flaking, cracking or chipping and especially those that are accessible to children who might chew or suck them can be extremely hazardous.
Even low levels of lead in the blood have been shown to have detrimental effects on the central nervous system and, in particular, on the IQ of children under five, so it is imperative that nursery owners, childminders and parents remove lead paint by a safe method.
If the house or building was constructed after the 1970s or the original painted surfaces in an older building have been removed and repainted within this period, it is extremely unlikely that lead-containing paints will be present. But millions of buildings still contain large quantities of lead paint.
'If you use a blow torch to get rid of the original paint in a house built between 1930 and 1950 you will put almost pure lead into the atmosphere,' warns Richard Meeran, a solicitor with London firm Leigh, Day and Co and former chair of a lead-paint awareness group. Victorian and Edwardian houses also usually contain a great deal of lead paint, he adds.
To be absolutely certain whether or not lead-containing paint is present, the paint needs to be tested by a specialist laboratory or a professional decorator who is knowledgeable about the subject (see panel right). Lead test kits available from shops should not be relied on.
Children and pregnant women should not be present in any area where paint removal is taking place - or, preferably, anyone not actually involved in the work should be kept out of the entire building - and all steps should be taken to avoid creating lead-containing dust and fumes.
Power sanders, or any other power tools that disturb the painted surface, should not be used to remove paint. These will put lead dust into the air, even if they are fitted with dust collection bags. Hot-air guns may be used to soften the paint sufficiently to be able to scrape it off, but a face mask should be worn at all times.
DIY expert and Sunday Telegraph columnist Jeff Howell recently pointed out that in the US hot-air guns and power sanders carry warnings about the health dangers of using them to strip off lead paint, but in the UK similar products carry no such warnings.
A spokesperson for Black and Decker, one of the main manufacturers of these products, says there are no warnings on the actual tools because they would have to be in a number of European languages and there is not enough room for them. However, she adds: 'Most of the products - although not all of them - carry comprehensive health warnings in the instruction manual.' The company is investigating why not all of the product instruction manuals carry these warnings, a situation the company intends to rectify, she promises.
John Edwards, director of communications with Alba plc, whose Power Products subsidiary makes hot-air guns and sanders, claims that the issue of including warnings on these products is 'a matter that has not previously arisen for discussion'. However, a decision was made recently to include a warning in instruction booklets.
Meanwhile, if you are considering removing old lead paint, you would be well advised to consult a professional decorator. If doing it yourself, use the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions' guide to its safe removal, detailed left.
Are you redecorating?
- Advice on old lead paint in your home by the DTLGR. Code: 98EP0040. Tel: 0870 1226236.
- Contact analytical laboratories that can carry out lead testing through the UK Accreditation Service on 020 8917 8400.
- Contact the Painters and Decorators' Federation on 020 7608 5093 for details of professional decorators.
