Document ID: EPA-HQ-RCRA-2001-0017-0004
Agency: epa
Document Type: Supporting & Related Material
Title: 
Posted Date: 2003-02-24T05:00Z

Office
of
Pollution
Prevention
and
Toxics
Reducing
Lead
Hazards
When
Remodeling
Your
Home
United
States
Environmental
Protection
Agency
EPA
747­
K­
97­
001
September
1997
Agency
is
concerned
about
homeowners
and
building
professionals
who
may
be
exposed
to
lead
as
a
result
of
remodeling
or
renovation
projects.

The
purpose
of
this
pamphlet
is
to
help
reduce
lead
exposure
when
conducting
home
renovation
and
remodeling
activities.
This
pamphlet
will
be
updated
as
new
information
about
lead
hazard
reduction
becomes
available.
he
U.
S.
Environmental
Protection
T
Table
of
Contents
Who
should
read
this
pamphlet
1
Lead
hazards
2
Will
the
job
create
lead
hazards?
3
Useful
equipment
and
where
to
get
it
4
Safe
work
practices
6
Setting
up
to
work
inside
7
Setting
up
to
work
outside
8
Carpet
removal
10
HVAC
duct
work
11
Minor
repairs
12
Plumbing
work
13
Paint
removal
and
floor
refinishing
14
Preparing
surfaces
for
new
paint
or
wallpaper
15
Removal
of
large
structures
16
Window
work
17
Cleaning
up
lead
waste
18
Smart
Remodeling
Checklist
21
Helpful
contacts
22
State
Lead
Program
Contacts
23
1
Who
should
read
this
pamphlet
This
pamphlet
can
help
homeowners
and
contractors
do
remodeling
or
renovation
work
safely.
It
will
alert
you
to
the
hazards
involved
in
handling
lead­
based
painted
surfaces
and
will
provide
useful
methods
you
can
use
to
reduce
or
eliminate
exposures
to
lead.
If
you
are
uncertain
how
to
properly
perform
any
of
these
methods
or
where
to
be
properly
fitted
for
a
respirator,
you
may
want
to
call
on
a
trained
contractor
or
call
your
State
lead
program
contact
(
see
page
23).

This
pamphlet
is
not
intended
for
use
as
a
guide
for
lead­
based
paint
abatement
procedures.
Unlike
remodeling
and
renovation
activities,
ìabatementî
is
a
process
used
only
to
address
lead­
based
paint
hazards.
EPA
has
promulgated
regulations
for
certification
and
training
of
professionals
engaged
in
lead
abatement.
You
should
check
with
your
State
lead
program
contact
(
refer
to
page
23)
for
further
information
on
these
regulations.

EPA
has
proposed
a
rule
requiring
renovation
and
remodeling
contractors
to
provide
the
EPA
pamphlet,
Protect
Your
Family
From
Lead
in
Your
Home,
to
homeowners
and
occupants
of
most
pre­
1978
homes
before
they
begin
work.
You
should
call
the
National
Lead
Information
Clearinghouse
(
800­
424­
LEAD)
to
get
further
information
on
the
availability
of
the
pamphlet.
This
pamphlet
is
for
anyone
involved
in
a
home
improvement
projectówhether
you
are
actually
doing
the
work
yourself
or
overseeing
the
work
of
renovation
and
remodeling
professionals
Using
the
described
practices
will
help
keep
lead
dust
levels
lower
during
the
project
and
protect
homeowners
and
children.
They
also
will
reduce
the
amount
of
lead
dust
inhaled
and
show
how
to
clean
up
lead
dust
once
the
project
is
completed.
2
Renovation
and
remodeling
activities
can
make
a
lot
of
dust
that
contains
lead
in
and
around
your
home.
If
you
are
concerned
that
your
family
has
been
exposed
to
lead­
based
paint,
call
your
doctor
or
local
health
department
to
arrange
for
a
blood
test.
Lead­
based
paint
is
poisonous.
The
smallest
lead
dust
particles
cannot
be
seen
but
they
can
get
into
the
body.
The
dust
and
chips
from
lead­
based
paint
are
dangerous
when
swallowed
or
inhaled,
especially
to
small
children
and
pregnant
women.
Lead
can
affect
childrenís
developing
nervous
systems,
causing
reduced
IQ
and
learning
disabilities.
In
adults,
high
lead
levels
can
cause
high
blood
pressure,
headaches,
digestive
problems,
memory
and
concentration
problems,
kidney
damage,
mood
changes,
nerve
disorders,
sleep
disturbances,
and
muscle
or
joint
pain.
A
single,
very
high
exposure
to
lead
can
cause
lead
poisoning.
Lead
can
also
affect
the
ability
of
both
women
and
men
to
have
healthy
children.

A
home
built
in
or
after
1978
should
not
contain
leadbased
paint
since
lead­
based
paint
was
banned
for
use
in
residences
in
1978;
however,
a
home
built
before
1978
is
likely
to
have
surfaces
painted
with
lead­
based
paint.
If
you
work
on
these
painted
surfaces,
you
can
be
exposed
to
lead.
Even
if
the
lead­
based
paint
has
been
covered
with
new
paint
or
another
covering,
cracked
or
chipped
painted
surfaces
can
expose
the
leadbased
paint,
possibly
creating
a
lead
hazard.
Drysanding
scraping,
brushing,
or
blasting
lead­
based
paint
can
produce
dust
and
paint
chips.
Burning
lead­
based
paint
with
open
flame
torches
to
make
it
easier
to
strip
is
especially
dangerous.
The
fumes
from
the
hot
paint
contain
lead
and
volatile
chemicals
that
are
poisonous
when
inhaled.
Lead
hazards
Is
my
family
okay?

Be
concerned
if
your
home
was
built
before
1978.
It
may
have
lead­
based
hazards.
3
Will
the
job
create
lead
hazards?

Can
I
do
the
work?

It
is
extremely
important
that
you
properly
use
all
the
methods
in
this
pamphlet
in
order
to
protect
you
and
your
family
from
lead
dust,
both
during
and
after
the
project.
Unless
you
can
follow
all
of
the
work
practices
and
safety
precautions
in
this
pamphlet
you
should
hire
professionals
to
do
your
renovation
or
remodeling
work.
If
you
decide
to
hire
remodeling
professionals
make
sure
they
have
training
and
experience
in
dealing
with
the
hazards
of
remodeling
or
renovating
homes
with
lead­
based
paint.
n
To
be
sure
that
youíre
not
dealing
with
lead­
based
paint
you
must
have
the
paint
tested
by
a
qualified
professional.
Use
a
trained
inspector
to
test
your
home.
A
trained
inspector
will
test
the
surfaces
of
your
home
by
using
a
portable
X­
ray
fluorescence
(
XRF)
machine
which
measures
the
amount
of
lead
in
the
paint
or
by
sending
paint
samples
to
a
laboratory
equipped
to
measure
lead
in
paint.
The
results
of
using
chemical
testing
kits
are
not
recommended.
To
find
an
inspector,
contact
your
State
agency
listed
on
page
23
or
call
1­(
888)
LEADLIST
to
obtain
a
list
of
trained
inspectors.

n
If
you
are
removing
paint
or
breaking
through
painted
surfaces,
you
should
be
concerned
about
lead­
based
paint
hazards.
If
your
job
involves
removing
paint,
sanding,
patching,
scraping,
or
tearing
down
walls,
you
should
be
concerned
about
exposure
to
lead­
based
paint
hazards.
If
you
are
doing
other
work,
such
as
removing
or
replacing
windows,
baseboards,
doors,
plumbing
fixtures,
heating
and
ventilation
duct
work,
or
electrical
systems,
you
should
be
concerned
about
lead­
based
paint
hazards,
since
you
may
be
breaking
through
painted
surfaces
to
do
these
jobs.

n
If
you
are
working
on
any
painted
surface,
you
should
be
concerned
about
lead­
based
paint
hazards.
You
may
find
lead­
based
paint
on
any
surface
in
your
home
including
walls,
interior
trim,
window
sashes
and
frames,
floors,
radiators,
doors,
stairways,
railings,
porches,
and
exterior
siding.
4
Getting
the
right
equipment
and
knowing
how
to
use
it
are
essential
steps
in
protecting
yourself
during
remodeling
or
renovating.

n
A
high­
efficiency
particulate
air
(
HEPA)
filterequipped
vacuum
cleaner
is
a
special
type
of
vacuum
cleaner
that
can
remove
very
small
particles
from
floors,
window
sills,
and
carpets
and
keeps
them
inside
the
vacuum
cleaner.
Regular
household
or
shop
vacuum
cleaners
are
not
completely
effective
in
removing
lead
dust.
They
may
blow
the
lead
dust
out
through
their
exhausts
and
spread
the
dust
throughout
the
home.
HEPA
vacuum
cleaners
are
available
through
laboratory
safety
and
supply
catalogs
and
vendors.
They
can
sometimes
be
rented
at
stores
that
carry
remodeling
tools.

n
You
need
to
use
a
NIOSH­
certified
respirator
that
is
properly
fitted
and
equipped
with
HEPA
filters
to
remove
lead
dust
particles
out
of
the
air
you
breathe.
Make
sure
you
buy
specific
HEPA
filtersó
they
are
always
purple.
Dust
filters
and
dust
masks
are
not
effective
in
preventing
you
from
breathing
in
lead
particles.
Follow
the
directions
that
come
with
the
respirator
to
make
sure
it
fits.
A
respirator
that
does
not
fit
right
will
not
work.
Respirators
are
available
through
laboratory
safety
and
supply
catalogs
and
vendors,
and
are
sometimes
carried
by
paint
and
hardware
stores.

n
Protective
clothes,
such
as
coveralls,
shoe
covers,
hats,
goggles,
face
shields,
and
gloves
should
be
used
to
help
keep
lead
dust
from
being
tracked
into
areas
outside
of
the
work
site.
These
items
are
available
through
laboratory
safety
equipment
supply
catalogs
and
vendors.
Inexpensive
disposable
suits
can
sometimes
be
purchased
at
paint
stores.
Useful
equipment
and
where
to
get
it
Use
a
HEPA
filter­
equipped
vacuum
cleaner.
Standard
household
and
shop
vacuum
cleaners
are
not
effective
at
removing
lead
dust.
5
n
Heavy­
duty
polyethylene
plastic
sheeting
for
covering
areas
exposed
to
lead
dust
can
be
purchased
at
hardware
stores
or
lumber
yards.
The
label
should
say
that
the
plastic
is
made
of
polyethylene
and
is
6*
mils
thick.

n
Duct
tape
to
hold
the
plastic
in
place,
and
completely
seal
the
work
areas,
can
be
purchased
at
hardware
stores
and
lumber
yards.

n
Wet­
sanding
equipment,
wet/
dry
abrasive
paper,
and
wet­
sanding
sponges
for
ìwet
methodsî
can
be
purchased
at
hardware
stores.

n
Spray
bottles
for
wetting
surfaces
to
keep
dust
from
spreading
can
be
purchased
at
general
retail
and
garden
supply
stores.

n
Cleaning
products
to
use
include:
either
a
general
all­
purpose
cleaner
or
a
cleaner
made
specially
for
lead
to
clean
the
dust
from
renovation
or
remodeling
activities.
All­
purpose
cleaners
can
be
found
in
grocery
stores.
Lead­
specific
cleaning
products
can
be
purchased
from
some
paint
and
hardware
stores.

n
Buckets
with
wringers,
debris
containers,
disposable
heavy­
duty
plastic
bags,
rags,
rakes,
shovels,
sponges,
and
string
mops
for
ongoing,
daily,
and
final
cleaning
can
be
purchased
at
hardware
and
retail
stores.
6
You
must
protect
yourself
and
your
family
from
breathing
lead
dust
created
by
renovation
and
remodeling
projects.

n
Keep
all
non­
workers,
especially
children,
pregnant
women,
and
pets
outside
of
the
work
area
while
doing
remodeling
or
renovation
work
until
cleanup
is
completed.

n
Break
large
projects
into
several
small
projects
so
that
you
can
control
the
amount
of
lead
dust
made.
Clean
up
after
each
phase
of
the
project.

n
Wear
a
properly
fitted
respirator
equipped
with
HEPA
filters.

n
Wear
protective
clothing
such
as
coveralls,
shoe
covers,
goggles,
and
gloves
to
keep
dust
off
your
skin.
Launder
these
items
separately.

n
Change
your
clothes
and
shoes
before
leaving
the
work
area
to
avoid
carrying
lead
dust
throughout
the
house.

n
Machine
wash
your
work
clothes
separately
from
other
family
laundry.

n
Shower
and
wash
hair
right
after
finishing
work
to
reduce
dust
contamination.

n
Do
not
eat,
smoke,
or
drink
in
the
work
area
to
avoid
accidentally
swallowing
lead
dust.
Wash
your
hands
and
face
before
eating,
smoking,
or
drinking.

n
Dispose
of
used
wash
water
down
a
toilet.*
Never
pour
wash
water
on
soil.

*
Check
with
your
State
lead
program
(
see
page
23)
to
make
sure
there
are
no
regulations
in
your
State
that
prohibit
this.
Safe
work
practices
Do
wear
a
respirator
so
you
don't
breathe
in
lead.

Don't
wear
dust
masksóthey
won't
protect
you
from*
lead.
7
Setting
up
to
work
inside
Close
off
entryways
with
an
airlock.
Dust
contaminated
with
lead
can
cling
to
your
clothes
and
skin,
to
walls
and
floors,
and
to
furniture
and
floor
coverings.
Forced­
air
heating
and
air
conditioning
systems
also
can
spread
dust
throughout
your
home.
To
keep
dust
from
spreading
throughout
your
home,
take
the
following
safeguards:

n
Remove
furniture,
area
rugs,
curtains,
food,
clothing,
and
other
household
items
until
cleanup
is
complete.
If
you
are
removing
wall­
to­
wall
carpet
as
part
of
your
remodeling
job,
see
page
10.

n
A
layer
of
polyethylene
plastic
sheeting,
at
least
6*
mils
thick,
should
be
placed
on
the
floor
and
on
the
furnishings
and
exposed
surfaces
that
cannot
be
removed,
such
as
countertops
and
shelves.
Cover
openings,
such
as
gaps
around
pipes,
with
a
single
sheet
of
plastic.
All
plastic
should
be
secured
with
duct
tape.

n
Turn
off
forced­
air
heating
and
air
conditioning
systems
during
renovation
and
remodeling.
Cover
vents
with
plastic
sheeting
and
tape
the
sheeting
in
place
with
duct
tape.
Windows
should
be
kept
closed
unless
volatile
chemicals
will
be
used.

n
An
airlock
should
be
constructed
at
the
entry
to
the
work
area.
The
airlock
consists
of
two
sheets
of
plastic.
One
sheet
is
completely
taped
along
all
four
edges.
The
tape
must
extend
all
the
way
around
the
top,
two
sides,
and
the
floor.
This
plastic
sheet
is
then
cut
down
the
middle.
The
second
sheet
is
only
taped
along
the
top
and
acts
as
a
flap
covering
the
slit
in
the
first
sheet
of
plastic.
If
two
entryways
exist,
one
should
be
completely
sealed
in
plastic.
As
an
alternative,
the
doorway
can
be
taped
closed
on
all
sides.
8
Setting
up
to
work
outside
Exterior
work
often
produces
dust,
paint
chips,
larger
pieces
of
material,
and
liquids
that
contain
lead.
It
is
easy
to
track
dust
containing
lead
inside
your
home,
where
it
can
pose
a
hazard.
Trash
that
contains
lead
also
can
contaminate
the
soil
surrounding
the
house
if
you
don't
handle
it
correctly.
To
avoid
contaminating
the
areas
surrounding
your
house,
take
the
following
precautions:

n
If
using
a
ladder,
anchor
it
securely
to
the
ground,
not
to
the
plastic
which
can
be
punctured.

n
If
wind
speeds
exceed
20
mph,
or
if
it
begins
to
rain,
stop
and
complete
cleanup.

n
One
lead­
safe
entryway
should
be
made
available
to
residents
at
all
times.
Do
not
treat
front
and
rear
entrances
simultaneously
if
there
is
not
a
third
doorway.

n
Cover
the
ground
and
any
plants
or
flowers
with
6*
mil
polyethylene
plastic
sheeting
to
catch
dust
and
trash.
A
single
sheet
of
polyethylene
plastic
sheeting,
at
least
6
mils
thick,
should
extend
at
least
5
feet
from
the
base
of
the
dwelling
and
an
additional
3
feet
for
each
additional
story.

n
All
windows,
including
windows
in
adjacent
dwellings,
within
20
feet
of
the
work
area
should
be
kept
closed.
9
n
Playground
equipment,
sandboxes,
and
toys
should
be
moved
at
least
20
feet
away
from
the
work
area.
If
items
cannot
be
moved
from
the
area,
then
they
should
be
sealed
with
plastic
sheeting.

n
Remove
personal
belongings
from
the
area
before
starting
work.

Secure
plastic
to
the
side
of
the
dwelling
with
duct
tape.
There
should
be
no
gaps
between
the
dwelling
and
the
plastic.
Plastic
sheeting
should
extend
at
least
8
feet
from
the
foundation
of
a
two­
story
house.
Wood
studs
block
liquid
from
escaping.
Bricks
or
rocks
should
be
used
to
hold
the
edges
of
the
plastic
sheeting
in
place.
10
Carpet
removal
If
you
plan
to
remove
or
replace
your
carpet
as
part
of
a
remodeling
job,
take
the
following
steps
to
avoid
spreading
lead
dust:

n
Mist
the
entire
surface
of
the
carpet
with
water
to
keep
dust
down.

n
Roll
the
carpet
inward
to
avoid
spreading
dust
to
other
areas.

n
Wrap
carpet
and
pad
in
6
mil
polyethylene
plastic
sheeting.
Tape
seams
closed
with
duct
tape.

n
Vacuum
floor
with
a
HEPA
filter­
equipped
vacuum
cleaner
after
the
carpet
is
wrapped
but
before
you
remove
it.

n
HEPA
vacuum
the
floor
again
after
you
remove
the
carpet.

Mist
carpet
surfaces
with
water
to
reduce
spread
of
dust.
11
HVAC
duct
work
Heating,
ventilation,
and
air
conditioning
system
ducts
can
accumulate
dust
for
many
years.
If
you
suspect
that
the
dust
contains
lead,
follow
these
steps
when
replacing
or
cleaning
the
ducts:

n
Cover
the
floor
under
the
ducts
with
6*
mil
polyethylene
plastic
sheeting
to
catch
dry
falling
dust.

n
Use
a
HEPA
filter­
equipped
vacuum
cleaner
to
remove
dust
from
the
inside
of
the
ducts
before
beginning
work.

n
Rinse
the
duct
pieces
in
an
area
well
away
from
the
house
before
reinstalling
them.
If
you
are
disposing
of
old
duct
pieces,
first
wrap
them
in
plastic
and
seal
with
duct
tape.

Heating
and
air
conditioning
ducts
can
accumulate
dust
that
contains
lead.
12
Minor
repairs
If
you
plan
to
conduct
minor
repairs
on
painted
surfaces,
such
as
repairing
or
replacing
a
door
lock,
repairing
a
door,
drilling
holes
to
install
shelves,
or
sawing
into
painted
wood
or
plaster,
then
wet
methods
and
simple
cleaning
can
reduce
hazards
of
lead
dust:

n
Cover
the
floor
under
the
work
area
with
6
mil
polyethylene
plastic
sheeting
to
catch
any
sludge
or
dust.

n
Spray
the
work
area
surface
with
water
to
reduce
the
amount
of
dust
generated
during
the
minor
repair.

n
To
eliminate
friction
points
on
a
door,
first
mist
the
door,
then
remove
the
door
to
plane
it.
Keep
door
surfaces
being
planed
wet
during
repair.
Replace
the
door
when
the
work
is
complete.

n
Vacuum
the
floor
under
the
work
area
and
all
surfaces
within
5
feet
of
the
work
area
with
a
HEPA
filter­
equipped
vacuum
cleaner.
13
Plumbing
work
Remove
faucet
aerators
and
clean
out
any
debris.
If
you
are
working
on
older
pipes
that
contain
lead
solder,
you
should
be
concerned
about
lead
hazards
in
plumbing.
Disturbing
lead­
soldered
pipes
can
dislodge
pieces
of
lead
solder
that
can
get
into
your
drinking
water
or
come
to
rest
in
aerators
or
the
bottom
of
pipes
or
joints.
Follow
these
precautions
to
reduce
lead
hazards
in
plumbing:

During
work:

n
Follow
the
practices
outlined
in
the
Minor
repairs
section
(
page
12)
when
you
break
through
walls
or
floors
to
reach
pipes.

n
Use
adequate
ventilation
to
avoid
inhaling
dangerous
fumes
from
soldering.

n
Promptly
dispose
of
solder
pieces
in
heavy­
duty
plastic
bags
when
you
finish
plumbing
work.

n
Use
lead­
free
solder
when
working
on
drinking
water
plumbing.

After
work
is
completed:

n
Remove
faucet
aerators
and
clean
out
any
debris
before
re­
installing
them.
Look
carefully
for
grit
or
pieces
of
solder
and
remove
them.

n
Flush
the
supply
pipes
you
have
been
working
on
by
letting
them
run
for
several
minutes
with
the
aerators
removed.
The
water
flowing
through
the
pipes
removes
small
pieces
of
loose
solder.
Aerator
14
Paint
removal
and
floor
refinishing
Using
heat
guns
Do
not
use
a
heat
gun
operating
above
1,100
°
F
or
open
flame
torches
to
loosen
lead­
based
paint.
Heating
and
burning
leadbased
paint
makes
dangerous
fumes
and
vapors.
Paint
removal
usually
creates
extensive
amounts
of
lead
and
lead
dust
when
using
processes
such
as
heat,
chemicals,
and
sharp
tools.
It
can
be
performed
safely
and
effectively
by
following
the
precautions
below.

n
The
painted
surface
should
be
misted
with
water
first.
The
paint
may
be
removed
by
wet
scraping
or
wet
sanding
with
a
HEPA
vacuum
attachment,
or
using
a
wet­
sanding
sponge.
Wipe
the
area
you
are
sanding
often
and
rinse
the
sponge
in
a
bucket
of
water.

n
Chemical
strippers
may
be
used
to
remove
paint,
but
those
containing
methylene
chloride
are
not
recommended.
Exercise
caution
when
using
paint
strippers
since
they
contain
toxic
chemicals.

n
Heat
guns
may
be
used
to
remove
paint,
but
do
not
use
those
that
operate
above
1,100
°
F.

n
For
mechanical
removal
methods
(
such
as
HEPA
vacuum
blasting,
machine
sanding
or
grinding),
use
tools
equipped
with
HEPA
exhaust
capability.

After
removing
the
paint,
wash
the
surface
with
a
recommended
cleaning
product
(
see
page
5),
rinse,
and
let
dry
before
re­
treating.
15
Preparing
surfaces
for
new
paint
or
wallpaper
Blasting
and
power*
washing
Do
not
blast
or
power
wash
lead­
based
painted
surfaces.
Blasting
and
power
washing
create
large
amounts
of
dust
and
waste
water
that
contain
lead
and
can
contaminate
large
areas.
Preparing
walls
and
other
surfaces
for
painting,
staining,
or
wallpapering
can
create
lead
exposure
risks.
With
good
work
practices,
you
can
reduce
the
risk
of
exposure
to
lead.

n
Cover
the
floor
and
furniture
with
6
mil
polyethylene
plastic
sheeting.

n
Avoid
sanding
lead­
based
painted
surfaces
whenever
possible.
If
you
must
sand,
use
a
sander
with
a
vacuum
attachment
connected
to
a
HEPA
filterequipped
vacuum
cleaner,
or
use
a
wet­
sanding
sponge.

n
Wipe
the
area
you
are
sanding
often
and
rinse
the
sponge
in
a
bucket
of
water.
Strain
out
any
chips
of
paint
and
dispose
of
them
in
heavy­
duty
plastic
bags.
Dispose
of
the
used
wash
water
down
the
toilet.*
Wash
the
walls
with
a
recommended
cleaning
product
(
refer
to
page
5),
rinse,
and
let
dry
before
painting
or
wallpapering.
Be
careful
while
wet
sanding
because
wet
plastic
can
be
very
slippery.

n
Exercise
caution
when
using
paint
strippers
since
they
contain
toxic
chemicals.
Chemical
strippers
containing
methylene
chloride
are
not
recommended.

n
If
you
intend
to
feather
or
scrape
the
lead­
based
painted
surface,
spray
the
work
area
surface
with
water
to
reduce
the
amount
of
dust.
For
scraping,
use
a
wet­
scraper
with
a
HEPA
filter­
equipped
exhaust.

*
Check
with
your
State
lead
program
(
see
page
23)
to
make
sure
there
are
no
regulations
in
your
State
that
prohibit
this.
16
Removal
of
large
structures
Wear
protective
clothing
and
a
respirator
when
removing
walls
that
may
contain
lead.
When
you
demolish
and
remove
large
structures
painted
with
lead­
based
paint,
such
as
walls,
door
frames,
floor
coverings,
and
ceilings,
you
are
likely
to
be
left
with
large
amounts
of
dust
and
trash
that
contain
lead.

To
reduce
exposure
to
large
amounts
of
lead
dust:

n
Seal
off
the
work
area
by
covering
entryways
with
6
mil
polyethylene
plastic
sheeting.

n
Cover
nearby
windows
with
6
mil
polyethylene
plastic
sheeting.

n
Turn
off
forced­
air
heating
and
air
conditioning
systems.
Then
cover
heating
and
air
conditioning
vents
with
a
layer
of
6
mil
polyethylene
plastic
sheeting.

n
Remove
rugs
and
furniture
from
the
work
area,
if
possible.

n
Cover
the
floors
and
the
furniture
in
the
work
area
and
adjoining
areas
with
6
mil
polyethylene
plastic
sheeting.

n
Wet
the
surface
and
debris
as
you
demolish
it
to
keep
dust
levels
down.

n
Remove
and
dispose
of
trash
properly.
Allowing
debris
to
accumulate
in
the
work
area
increases
the
risk
of
spreading
dust
through
the
house.
17
Window
work
Remove
window
unit
from
the
outside,
if
possible.
Window
sills
and
window
frames
on
homes
built
before
1978
can
have
high
amounts
of
lead­
based
paint.
Since
these
items
are
seldom
replaced,
paint
tends
to
build
up
on
them.
Follow
these
basic
safety
precautions
for
working
on
these
types
of
windows:

n
For
window
pane/
glass
replacement,
cover
the
floor
inside
under
the
window
with
6
mil
polyethylene
plastic
sheeting
to
catch
any
dust
fall.
Spray
the
work
area
surface
with
water
to
reduce
the
amount
of
dust
generated
when
replacing
the
window
pane/
glass.
Score
the
window
pane/
glass
with
a
razor
knife
to
facilitate
its
removal.
Collect
all
dust
and
paint
chips
and
dispose
in
a
sealed
plastic
bag.

n
For
window
repair,
cover
the
floor
inside
under
the
window
with
plastic
sheeting
to
catch
any
dust
fall.
Spray
the
work
area
surface
with
water
to
reduce
the
amount
of
dust
generated
when
repairing
the
window.
Wet
scrape
deteriorated
paint.
Collect
all
dust
and
paint
chips
and
dispose
in
a
sealed
plastic
bag.

n
For
window
replacement,
cover
the
entire
inside
window
opening
with
plastic
sheeting.
Cover
the
floor
inside
under
the
window
and
the
ground
outside
the
window
with
6
mil
polyethylene
plastic
sheeting
to
catch
any
dust
fall.
Spray
the
window
sill
and
frame
with
water
to
reduce
the
dust.
Remove
the
window
unit
from
the
outside,
if
possible.
Collect
all
dust
and
paint
chips
and
dispose
of
them
in
a
sealed
plastic
bag.
Frame
Sill
18
Cleaning
up
lead
waste
Vacuum
dust
from
clothing.

Wash
hands
thoroughly
to
remove
lead
dust.
Cleaning
includes
not
only
the
removal
of
visible
debris
but
also
the
removal
of
leaded
dust
particles
which
are
too
small
to
be
seen
by
the
naked
eye.

Pay
special
attention
to
cleanup
activities
to
prevent
contaminating
other
areas
or
exposing
people
to
lead.
Everyone
working
on
your
job
should
take
the
precautions
given
here
to
help
prevent
lead
contamination.

Personal
cleanup:

n
Vacuum
dust
from
clothing
using
a
HEPA
filterequipped
vacuum
cleaner.

n
Wash
your
hands
and
face
before
you
leave
the
work
site.

n
Change
your
clothes
and
shoes
before
leaving
the
work
site
to
prevent
contaminating
areas
outside
the
work
site.
After
removing
your
clothes,
machine
wash
them
separately
from
other
family
laundry.

n
Do
not
take
off
your
respirator
until
after
you
have
removed
your
outer
protective
clothing.

n
Shower
and
wash
your
hair
right
after
finishing
work
to
prevent
spreading
lead
dust.
19
Daily
site
cleanup:

n
Dispose
of
construction
trash
in
a
heavy­
duty
plastic
bag.*
Carefully
remove
the
dust
and
trash
from
the
plastic
sheeting
to
avoid
contaminating
other
areas.
If
possible,
pass
the
trash
out
a
window
to
avoid
carrying
it
through
the
house.

n
Strain
out
paint
chips
from
liquid
waste
and
dispose
of
them
in
a
heavy­
duty
plastic
bag.
Dispose
of
the
remaining
water
down
a
toilet.*

n
Mop
the
floors
with
a
cleaning
product
recommended
on
page
5
using
a
disposable
mop
and
water
in
areas
where
there
is
little
dust,
or
vacuum
with
a
HEPA
filter­
equipped
vacuum
cleaner.
Change
wash
water
frequently.
Rinse
with
clean
water.
Dispose
of
used
water
down
a
toilet.*

n
Vacuum
the
plastic
sheeting
covering
wall­
to­
wall
carpeting
with
a
HEPA
filter­
equipped
vacuum
cleaner.

n
Mist
outside
areas
using
a
garden
hose
before
sweeping
these
areas
with
a
broom.
Avoid
dry
sweeping
since
it
spreads
lead
dust.
Shovel,
rake,
or
vacuum
(
HEPA
filter­
equipped)
trash
into
heavyduty
plastic
bags*
placed
in
cardboard
boxes
for
support.

n
Clean
your
vacuums
and
tools
with
a
recommended
cleaning
product
(
refer
to
page
5)
and
water.

n
Seal
off
the
entryways
with
6
mil
polyethylene
plastic
if
you
have
to
leave
a
work
site
unattended.

*
Check
with
your
State
lead
program
(
see
page
23)
to
make
sure
there
are
no
regulations
in
your
State
that
prohibit
this.
20
Am
I
done?

Consider
hiring
a
professional
to
test
areas
for
lead
dust
contamination
after
your
final
cleanup.
Call*
your
local
health
department
or
the
National
Lead
Information
Center
Clearinghouse
at
(
800)
424­
LEAD
for
a
referral
to
a
lead­
testing
professional.
Final
cleanup:

n
Start
your
cleanup
work
from
the
dirtiest
part
of
the
work
area
and
work
toward
the
clean
area
of
the
house.

n
Work
from
the
top
of
the
room
toward
the
bottom,
cleaning
ceilings
first,
then
walls,
counters,
and
floors.

n
Carefully
remove
any
plastic
sheeting
used
to
protect
surfaces
by
rolling
or
folding
inward.

n
Wash
floors
and
walls
with
a
recommended
cleaning
product
(
refer
to
page
5).
Dispose
of
used
wash
water
down
a
toilet.

n
Vacuum
walls,
floors,
and
wall­
to­
wall
carpeting
with
a
HEPA
filter­
equipped
vacuum
cleaner.

n
Vacuum
chair
rails,
window
sills,
casings,
shelves,
countertops,
and
baseboards
again,
once
they
are
dry.
21
Smart
Remodeling
Checklist
Before
the
work
begins
q
Have
your
paint
tested
for
lead
by
a
qualified
professional.

q
Cover
interior
and
exterior
exposed
areas
with
plastic
sheeting.

q
Turn
off
forced­
air
heating
and
air
conditioning
systems.

During
work
q
Keep
all
non­
workers
outside
of
the
work
area.

q
Wear
protective
clothing
and
shoes
while
doing
the
work.

q
Use
a
properly
fitted
respirator
equipped
with
HEPA
filters.

q
Exercise
caution
when
using
paint
strippers
since
they
contain
toxic
chemicals.

q
Do
not
eat,
drink,
or
smoke
in
the
work
area.

q
Do
not
dry­
sand,
blast,
or
power­
wash
to
remove
lead­
based
paint.

q
Do
not
use
high­
temperature
heat
guns
or
open
flames
on
lead­
based
paint.

After
work
is
completed
q
Remove
plastic
sheeting
by
rolling
or
folding
inward.

q
Wrap
construction
debris
with
plastic.

q
Vacuum
exposed
areas
with
a
HEPA
filter­
equipped
vacuum
cleaner.

q
Wash
exposed
areas
with
a
general
all­
purpose
cleaner
or
lead­
specific
cleaning
product.

q
Change
clothes
and
shoes
before
leaving
the
work
area.
Machine
wash
separately.

q
Shower
and
wash
your
hair
right
after
finishing
work.

q
Test
areas
for
lead
dust
contamination
after
final
cleanup.
22
Helpful
contacts
You
may
need
additional
information
on
how
to
protect
yourself
while
remodeling
or
renovating.
For
more
information:

n
Call
your
State
lead­
poisoning
prevention
contact
and
your
State
Department
of
Environmental
Protection
to
find
out
what
assistance
is
available.
Phone
numbers
of
State
lead
poisoning
prevention
contacts
are
listed
on
the
next
page.

n
Call
your
local
building
code
officials
to
find
out
what
regulations
apply
to
the
renovation
and
remodeling
work
that
you
are
planning.

n
Call
your
local
health
department
to
find
out
what
other
information
is
available
about
lead
hazards
and
what
assistance
is
available
to
you.

n
Call
the
National
Lead
Information
Center
at
(
800)*
424­
LEAD
to
get
a
list
of
laboratories
that
can
analyze
paint
and
dust
samples
for
lead,
and
to
obtain
other
important
lead
hazard
information,
such
as
the
pamphlets
Lead
Poisoning
and
Your
Children
and
Protect
Your
Family
From
Lead
in
Your
Home.
In
the
future,
renovation
and
remodeling
contractors
may
be
required
to
provide
a
copy
of
this
pamphlet
to
homeowners
and
occupants
before
they
begin
work.

n
Call
the
Housing
and
Urban
Development
(
HUD)
Office
of
Lead
Hazard
Control
at
(
888)
LEADLIST
to
obtain
a
list
of
trained
inspectors.

n
Call
the
Occupational
Safety
and
Health
Administration
(
OSHA),
Department
of
Job
Safety
and
Health
at
(
202)
219­
8151
to
get
information
on
respirators
and
protective
clothing.

n
Call
the
National
Conference
of
State
Legislatures
at
(
303)
830­
2200
to
get
information
about
the
current
state
regulations
for
disposing
of
lead
waste
in
your
area.
23
State
Lead
Program
Contacts
Alabama
(
205)
242­
5661
Montana
(
406)
444­
3671
Alaska
(
907)
465­
5152
Nebraska
(
402)
471­
2451
Arkansas
(
501)
661­
2534
Nevada
(
702)
687­
6615
Arizona
(
602)
542­
7307
New
Hampshire
(
603)
271­
4507
California
(
510)
450­
2424
New
Jersey
(
609)
633­
2043
Colorado
(
303)
692­
3012
New
Mexico
(
505)
841­
8024
Connecticut
(
203)
566­
5808
New
York
(
800)
458­
1158
Washington,
D.
C.
(
202)
727­
9850
North
Carolina
(
919)
715­
3293
Delaware
(
302)
739­
4735
North
Dakota
(
701)
328­
5188
Florida
(
904)
488­
3385
Ohio
(
614)
466­
1450
Georgia
(
404)
657­
6514
Oklahoma
(
405)
271­
5220
Hawaii
(
808)
832­
5860
Oregon
(
503)
248­
5240
Idaho
(
208)
332­
5544
Pennsylvania
(
717)
782­
2884
Illinois
(
800)
545­
2200
Rhode
Island
(
401)
277­
3424
Indiana
(
317)
382­
6662
South
Carolina
(
803)
935­
7945
Iowa
(
800)
972­
2026
South
Dakota
(
605)
773­
3153
Kansas
(
913)
296­
0189
Tennessee
(
615)
741­
5683
Kentucky
(
502)
564­
2154
Texas
(
512)
834­
6600
Louisiana
(
504)
765­
0219
Utah
(
801)
536­
4000
Massachusetts
(
800)
532­
9571
Vermont
(
802)
863­
7231
Maryland
(
410)
631­
3859
Virginia
(
800)
523­
4019
Maine
(
207)
287­
4311
Washington
(
206)
753­
2556
Michigan
(
517)
335­
8885
West
Virginia
(
304)
558­
2981
Minnesota
(
612)
627­
5498
Wisconsin
(
608)
266­
5885
Mississippi
(
601)
960­
7463
Wyoming
(
307)
777­
7391
Missouri
(
314)
526­
4911
Some
cities
and
states
have
their
own
rules
for
lead­
based
paint
activities.
Check
with
your
State
agency
(
listed
below)
to
see
if
state
or
local
laws
apply
to
you.
Most
state
agencies
can
also
provide
information
on
finding
a
lead
abatement
firm
in
your
area,
and
on
possible
sources
of
financial
aid
for
reducing
lead
hazards.