amakarevic

i have several brick wall sections in my basement from which i would like to remove the old paint to expose the brick for aesthetics. i was planning to do it using a 4.5-in grinder and a brush attachment.

i was wondering if a gas-mask type respirator would suffice protecting or whether i should have an entire hazmat suit ? also, what are some other implications ? i guess it would be highly recommended to thoroughly ventilate the area and shopvac it afterwards.

i am also posting this in the paint section (moderator, please do not remove).

thanks,

- a -

Maintenance 6

The first thing I would do is chip down through the layers of paint carefully and have it tested for lead. Then plan from the results. Lead contamination is a nasty thing. Asbestos attacks the respiratory system and can take it's good old time. Lead attacks lots of things and does it much quicker and with more certainty.

Leah Frances

Ok - Here's my practical thoughts about lead paint. Don't grind or sand dry. Consider non-sanding paint removal alternatives - chemical stripers or IR heat. Get some coveralls and boot covers or dedicated shoes - do not wear them away from your work area. The easiest way to reduce your own exposure is to: Wash your hands EVERY time you leave the work area.

__________________
If I could only remember to THINK about what I was doing before I did it.

TED2235

The mask should work to protect you while you're working if it has a HEPA filter, but you'll be sending lead contaminated dust flying everywhere in your house. You'll need to move all furniture, rugs, etc. out of the room. I would then use a double layer of 6 mil plastic sheeting and staples and duct tape to attach it to cover all surfaces where you won't be removing lead paint and seal the doors of the room with a double layer as well, cutting a flap in each sheet for a door. Ensure that your HVAC is off and all vents are sealed with double 6 mil poly and duct tape. Use heat stripping or wet sanding with a HEPA vacuum, never dry sand lead paint. Afterwards you can wet everything down and strip down your poly, double bag it, and dispose of it one layer at a time.

sdsester

You should not just bag the stuff up and landfill it. Contact a disposal company even though it will cost you.

ARI001

Start by going here:
www.epa.gov/lead

eisert

First off, I know this thread was started almost two years ago, but I think this really needs to be said as this is not the first time I have seen lead paint questions on this forum.

LEAD ABATEMENT/REMOVAL IS NOT A DIY PROJECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lead builds up in the body and is stored in your bone marrow. You could ingest lead and be perfectly healthy for 20 years or more and then out of nowhere, you now have lead poisoning.

There are serious side effects to ingesting lead. These include brain damage, bone density loss, kidney failure, nervous system shutdown, immune system failure, and many others. And if you experience these side effects, lead can actually alter your DNA so that these problems can be passed to any kids you have in the future.

If you do any lead work on your home improperly and someone gets lead poisoning, including the next owner, YOU are liable for it. Trust me, the medical bills alone could be more than what your house is worth.

There is enough lead in a paint chip the size of your thumbnail to kill the average sized man. It's not too tough to ingest that amount of paint in an abatement project if you do not take the right precautions.

For example, if you use a regular shop vac to clean up the paint chips, you are doing more harm than good. If your vac is not equipped with a quality HEPA filter, all you are doing is spreading lead around, as well as making it airborn, making it easier to ingest.

Without sealing off a room well enough, and having a clean/dirty holding area, you also are just spreading lead around.

In most cases, you are better off properly encapsulating the lead containing surface through proper procedures and product usage and covering it up.

amakarevic

thanks, this makes perfect sense.