Lead and Your Health - Part 5 Remodel or Renovate a Home with Lead-Based Paint - Part 2 > 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:
>> Mist the entire surface of the carpet with water to keep dust down.
>> Roll the carpet inward to avoid spreading dust to other areas.
>> Wrap carpet and pad in 6 mil polyethylene plastic sheeting. Tape seams closed with duct tape.
>> Vacuum floor with a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner after the carpet is wrapped but before you remove it.
>> HEPA vacuum the floor again after you remove the carpet.  | Figure 26: Mist carpet surfaces with water to reduce spread of dust. |
> HVAC Ductwork
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:
>> Cover the floor under the ducts with 6mil polyethylene plastic sheeting to catch dry falling dust.
>> Use a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner to remove dust from the inside of the ducts before beginning work.
>> 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. 
| Figure 27: Heating and air conditioning ducts can accumulate dust that contains lead. |
> 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:
>> Cover the floor under the work area with 6 mil polyethylene plastic sheeting to catch any sludge or dust.
>> Spray the work area surface with water to reduce the amount of dust generated during the minor repair.
>> 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.
>> Vacuum the floor under the work area and all surfaces within 5 feet of the work area with a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner.
> Plumbing Work
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:
>> Follow the practices outlined in the Minor repairs section when you break through walls or floors to reach pipes.
>> Use adequate ventilation to avoid inhaling dangerous fumes from soldering.
>> Promptly dispose of solder pieces in heavy-duty plastic bags when you finish plumbing work.
>> Use lead-free solder when working on drinking water plumbing.
After work is completed:
>> Remove faucet aerators and clean out any debris before re-installing them. Look carefully for grit or pieces of solder and remove them.
>> 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. 
| Figure 28: Remove faucet aerators and clean out any debris periodically. |
> Paint Removal and Floor Refinishing
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.
>> 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.
>> 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.
>> Heat guns may be used to remove paint. However, do not use a heat gun operating above 1,100°F or open flame torches to loosen lead-based paint. Heating and burning lead based paint makes dangerous fumes and vapors.
>> 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, rinse, and let dry before re-treating.
> Preparing Surfaces for New Paint or Wallpaper
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.
>> Cover the floor and furniture with 6 mil polyethylene plastic sheeting.
>> Avoid sanding lead-based painted surfaces whenever possible. If you must sand, use a sander with a vacuum attachment connected to a HEPA filter equipped vacuum cleaner, or use a wet-sanding sponge.
>> 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 (check with your State lead program to make sure there are no regulations in your State that prohibit this). Wash the walls with a recommended cleaning product, rinse, and let dry before painting or wallpapering. Be careful while wet sanding because wet plastic can be very slippery.
>> Exercise caution when using paint strippers since they contain toxic chemicals. Chemical strippers containing methylene chloride are not recommended.
>> 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.
>> 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.
> Removal of Large Structures
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:
>> Seal off the work area by covering entryways with 6 mil polyethylene plastic sheeting.
>> Cover nearby windows with 6 mil polyethylene plastic sheeting.
>> 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.
>> Remove rugs and furniture from the work area, if possible.
>> Cover the floors and the furniture in the work area and adjoining areas with 6 mil polyethylene plastic sheeting.
>> Wet the surface and debris as you demolish it to keep dust levels down.
>> Remove and dispose of trash properly. Allowing debris to accumulate in the work area increases the risk of spreading dust through the house.
| Figure 29: Wear protective clothing and a respirator when removing walls that may contain lead. |
> Window Work
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:
>> 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.
>> 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.
>> 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.
> Cleaning Up Lead Waste
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:
>> Vacuum dust from clothing using a HEPA filter equipped vacuum cleaner.
>> Wash your hands and face before you leave the work site.
>> 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.
>> Do not take off your respirator until after you have removed your outer protective clothing.
>> Shower and wash your hair right after finishing work to prevent spreading lead dust.
| Figure 30: Vacuum dust from clothing. |
> Daily Site Cleanup
Dispose of construction trash in a heavy-duty plastic bag (check with your State lead program to make sure there are no regulations in your State that prohibit this). 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.
>> 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 (check with your State lead program to make sure there are no regulations in your State that prohibit this).
>> Mop the floors with a recommended cleaning product 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 (check with your State lead program to make sure there are no regulations in your State that prohibit this).
>> Vacuum the plastic sheeting covering wall-to-wall carpeting with a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner.
>> 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 heavy duty plastic bags (check with your State lead program to make sure there are no regulations in your State that prohibit this) placed in cardboard boxes for support.
>> Clean your vacuums and tools with a recommended cleaning product and water.
>> Seal off the entryways with 6 mil polyethylene plastic if you have to leave a work site unattended.
> Final Cleanup
Start your cleanup work from the dirtiest part of the work area and work toward the clean area of the house.
>> Work from the top of the room toward the bottom, cleaning ceilings first, then walls, counters, and floors.
>> Carefully remove any plastic sheeting used to protect surfaces by rolling or folding inward.
>> Wash floors and walls with a recommended cleaning product. Dispose of used wash water down a toilet.
>> Vacuum walls, floors, and wall-to-wall carpeting with a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner.
>> Vacuum chair rails, window sills, casings, shelves, countertops, and baseboards again, once they are dry.
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.
> Smart Remodeling Checklist
Before the work begins:
>> Have your paint tested for lead by a qualified professional.
>> Cover interior and exterior exposed areas with plastic sheeting.
>> Turn off forced-air heating and air conditioning systems.
During work:
>> Keep all non-workers outside of the work area.
>> Wear protective clothing and shoes while doing the work.
>> Use a properly fitted respirator equipped with HEPA filters.
>> Exercise caution when using paint strippers since they contain toxic chemicals.
>> Do not eat, drink, or smoke in the work area.
>> Do not dry-sand, blast, or power-wash to remove lead-based paint.
>> Do not use high-temperature heat guns or open flames on lead-based paint.
After work is completed:
>> Remove plastic sheeting by rolling or folding inward.
>> Wrap construction debris with plastic.
>> Vacuum exposed areas with a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner.
>> Wash exposed areas with a general all-purpose cleaner or lead-specific cleaning product.
>> Change clothes and shoes before leaving the work area. Machine wash separately.
>> Shower and wash your hair right after finishing work.
>> Test areas for lead dust contamination after final cleanup.
> Helpful Contacts
You may need additional information on how to protect yourself while remodeling or renovating. For more information:
>> Call your State lead-poisoning prevention contact and your State Department of Environmental Protection to find out what assistance is available.
>> Call your local building code officials to find out what regulations apply to the renovation and remodeling work that you are planning.
>> Call your local health department to find out what other information is available about lead hazards and what assistance is available to you.
>> 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.
>> Call the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Lead Hazard Control at (888) LEADLIST to obtain a list of trained inspectors.
>> 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.
>> 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.
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