Lead Paint Disaster

[Eve87888]

Hi all

Hoping for some advice. We started stripping our fireplace with Klingstrip and after the peeling saw other layers of paint which are testing positive for lead - it’s really annoying as I’m so careful with these things!

I now just want to safely cover it all up. Can I do this myself with sealant and paint? I’m not sure which products to use or what to safely do.

Any advice appreciated because I’m feeling like a bit of an idiot at the moment!

 

[Tigercubrider]

Can’t you continue to strip it with the stripper? It’s safe to strip so long as you wear a mask/overalls and do it wet.
Or hire someone . Avoid vacuuming with a domestic cleaner.

It’s not like asbestos. Put down disposable floor coverings and fold / roll them into themselves.

 

[endecotp]

I’m so careful with these things!

Does that mean you’re paranoid about lead poisoning?

Don’t worry. Remember that until not so long ago there was lead in petrol and we all walked around breathing in lead constantly.

The people who need to worry about lead paint are professional decorators who could be exposed every working day. If you’re doing this DIY as a one-off, the exposure would be small even if you did it the wrong way. Lead is a cumulative toxin, and a small exposure will have a small effect - unlike e.g. asbestos where even a small exposure has the chance of starting a cancer.

The way you’re removing it is safe. Compare with sanding, where the lead comes off as dust that you can breath in, or using heat, where some of the lead may end up in the smoke and get breathed in. Using paint stripper you get lumps of paint gunk that are not in danger of entering your lungs.

Keep going as you are. Wear a mask if you want. Clean up carefully, don’t vacuum any dust with a normal vacuum cleaner. Discourage pregnant women or tiny babies from spending time in the room. And don’t worry!

 

[Eve87888]

Probably slightly paranoid! Thank you both for your very sound advice - it’s really helpful and reassuring.

We’ll keep going!