Paint Chips from old peeling paint can potentially expose your family and pets to lead, which is a risk to long term health.
While lead may have been banned, it is still present in many buildings.
So how do you know if the paint on your home contains lead?
Unfortunately, you can’t tell by looking as there are no obvious signs that paint may contain lead.
However, I would say that in most cases, it probably does, to varying levels.
The best guide would be that if your home was constructed and/or painted prior to 1997, it is highly likely to contain “lead paint.”
In 1997, in Australia, the lead content of domestic paint was reduced to 0.1% lead (= 1000 ppm lead), prior to that it was much higher.
On 1st October 2021, lead paint was banned in Australia. This means that all domestic paints contain lead that is limited to 0.009% = 90 ppm – ultimately meaning that no lead can be added.
The great news is that manufacturers were informed about this back in 2010, so you can rest assured that any paint made in Australia on and after this date has no added lead.
While leaded paint is safely encapsulated by more recent coats of paint, it doesn’t pose a risk in normal daily life.
However, if you are planning to renovate your home, you could be biting off more than you intended.
The only way to know for sure is to test it.
Spot tests from the hardware store are pretty unreliable.
Laboratory analysis is always the best way to go*.
Otherwise, you could assume that the paint contains lead, and manage it accordingly.
The Dos and Don’ts of Leaded Paint
If the paint in the area you are wanting to paint is in good condition, then you can:
Wash the walls with sugar soap
Allow them to fully dry
Paint them carefully
However, if you are planning to remove the paint – STOP! Read this first.
Don’t dry sand.
Sanding will cause the lead to be released as airborne particles.
If you need to sand, then wet sanding is your go to method.
Don’t use a hot heat gun.
The heat gun will cause lead vapour to be released.
The only way around this is to use a heat gun with a temperature setting, and use it on the lowest setting. Keep the heat gun away from the wall. Everyone present needs to be fitted with a P2 respirator to prevent inhalation.
Avoid chemical stripping.
Chemical stripping can cause lead to end up in the wood. The end results of this is that because no paint is visible, anyone would assume that it is safe to sand. But this is not the case.
MUST DOs
In all instances, I strongly recommend the use of PPE – a respirator is essential.
P1 for sanding. P2 for using with a heat gun.
I also recommend using an air purifier to capture fumes and dust.
Before you remove leaded paint, carefully lay down a drop sheet (taping down the edges) to ensure that you’ll collect all the lead chips.
Ensure that you carefully collect all leaded paint chips, emptying them into a bag and sealing it well.
Clean the area and surrounds thoroughly to ensure that there are no paint chips or dust around from the renovation.
The LEAD Group recommends the 3-Bucket Method for cleaning. (Note, I am not a fan of step 5 – please choose an alternative way to dispose of the contaminated water.)
The Risks of Leaded Paint Chips and Dust
I recently tested a home that had been renovated, and there were paint chips all over the garden.
Whilst the paint chips definitely posed a problem to the occupants and their pets, the dust in their home also contained levels of lead that were high enough that by US EPA standards deemed the house uninhabitable for a child.
So follow the steps above and keep safe from lead.
Other Potential Sources of Lead When Renovating
We’ve talked about paint chips and dust in the home.
However, there are other potential sources of lead that you can be exposed to when renovating.
The two bigs ones are:
Ceiling Dust
Carpets
Ceiling Dust
Ceiling dust is usually full of all sorts of contaminants – lead dust being one of them. Dust can contain lead even in new buildings, particularly when near busy roads or industrial areas.
Like when sanding, dust from the ceiling can easily be inhaled or ingested.
And as such, I always recommend having ceiling dust professionally removed prior to any renovations.
Carpets store a lot of dust and other matter – we won’t go into the details here, just know it’s like a time capsule of your home.
Pulling up carpets and underlay can expose you to a lot of this matter, so care needs to be taken.
Simply spray carpets with water, cut them into strips and roll them up. Taking it a step further, it is advised that you then wrap these carpet rolls in plastic and carefully remove them. This last step prevents contamination of other areas of the building from both lead and mould spores.
The same can be done with the underlay.
I then recommend a good clean, following the Three Bucket Method, as well.
Other Reno Tips
Make sure you clean up well – take extra care to remove dust, paint chips and other debris.
Test the soil if you’re planning to have a vegetable garden or chooks, you have pets, you’ve got children (especially if they’re prone to pica – eating things that aren’t normally considered food).
Take care to choose taps and tapware that are lead-free.
Interested in Learning More?
Check out this post and details about how to join lead expert, Elizabeth O'Brien (The LEAD Group) for a live Q&A call during International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action (ILPPWA). Don’t worry if you’ve missed the event – go there anyway as I’ll post the video of the call there for you. 🙂
*I’m doing onsite assessments for lead, so if you want my help, enquire here.
This year, our activity for International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action (ILPPWA) is to host a live Q&A session with lead expert Elizabeth O'Brien.
Applying a little foresight and forward planning can help to prevent renovation health hazards. Through the past decade, I have found that many of my clients have experienced health issues due to factors in their homes, I call these hidden hazards.
In order to equip you with information and strategies while renovating your home, I am going to share with you 5 of the common hazards… and give you strategies on how you can tackle them safely and effectively.
Mould
I'd say mould is a “complex beast.” Here are some key points in a nutshell:
Ultimately, mould is a moisture issue. If there’s mould, there has been moisture. Conversely, if something is wet for long enough (48 hours) you can have mould.
There are over 100,000 different types of mould, it comes in many colours and has many different moisture requirements.
It’s a myth that mould only grows in cold, dark places. Mould spores are present everywhere and can become active when there is enough moisture present.
Mould can be actively growing, yet be invisible and/or have no odour.
It’s also a myth that only mould that is black can cause problems to health.
Not everyone reacts the same way to mould. People can be allergic to it, or become sensitised over time. Others may have an immune system that can deal with it without them even realising it!
Mould can grow in all sorts of places – even in areas that you can’t see.
The biggest factor when it comes to renovation health risks is that any time you disturb mould, it releases spores. This means any changes to moisture levels, light, temperature, air movement, as well as physically disturbing it, can result in mould releasing spores.
Keep your eyes peeled for any signs of water, mould or damage: wood with “wood rot” (a.k.a. “water damage”), a “high tide mark” in the subfloor and on the stumps, brown stains (typically on ceilings and walls), paintwork that is peeling, cracked or bubbling, and swollen wood (door jambs, cabinetry, kickboards).
If you spot any of these, get in touch so I can advise on how to best manage the situation.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a material that most of us have heard of. I am sure you also know of the health risks, like mesothelioma that can result from asbestos exposure.
However, it is important to know that asbestos does not pose any health risk if it isn’t damaged or disturbed. Which means, you can live in a 1950s home and have no asbestos-related issues if you don’t make holes in the walls or renovate. This is great news – except if you do want to renovate.
Here are some facts about asbestos.
It’s strong, heat resistant and durable
It was used in a vast range of materials for many decades,
The peak usage of asbestos was 1950s-1970s,
Asbestos was banned in 2003, and
It is impossible to know if a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it.
Apart from “Hardie Boards”, cement-lined asbestos pipes and roof tiles, asbestos was used in electrical cable casing (this is the braided one), window sashes on hung windows, slagging, old laundry tubs, carpet underlays, tiles, bakelite materials and so many other materials.
If your home was built before 2003 and you are planning on a renovation, engage a licensed asbestos inspector to conduct a “demolition survey.”
Lead
Lead has also been widely used in a number of products, and was only phased out from use in paint as recently as 2010. Whilst leaded paint, like asbestos, when it isn’t disturbed poses little risk – if it is sanded or peeling, it can be particularly hazardous to health.
There are often no symptoms of lead poisoning for some years – and common long term effects of lead poisoning include loss of libido, reduced sperm count, lowered IQ, Alzheimer's Disease, hearing loss, joint pain, stroke, and has been linked to many “diseases of ageing.”
Lead can be present in our homes in paint, solder, flashing (which can get into tank water), lead dust (from busy roads and industry) which can get into the soil or roof space, and even lead lighting.
What is important to know with lead is that the “spot tests” that you can get at hardware stores are extremely unreliable. It is for this reason that they are not something that I recommend. Instead, you can get samples analysed by an accredited laboratory.
If you suspect lead might be present then take extra care:
wear a respirator,
gloves and coveralls,
avoid dry sanding,
avoid removing paint with heat guns,
manage the dust to prevent secondary contamination, and of course,
keep pets, pregnant women, young children and the elderly away from areas being renovated.
For more information on lead, a top resource is LeadSafeWorld.
Dust
Dust is certainly something you can certainly expect in any renovation.
But is dust safe?
I always err on the side of caution, and I would say, “no.” Better safe than sorry, right?
Two places where dust pose the biggest risks are carpets and the roof space.
Any time you are doing anything involving the ceiling or roof space be sure to have the dust removed prior. This could be installing insulation to cutting out a piece to installing downlights, and so on.
For carpets, I recommend that you spray them down with water, cut them into strips, roll each strip, wrap in a tarp and take it out to the skip. This will prevent dust becoming airborne as well as reduce the risk of spreading it through other parts of your home.
And of course, personal protective equipment is always recommended!
Plan Ahead and Avoid Renovation Health Hazards
Whilst we know how easy it is to get swept up in the vision and planning… However, you are now armed with important information to protect yourself and your family from the most common renovation health hazards.
If you’d like advice on your particular situation, please book a call with me.
Lead Levels and Lead Poisoning Prevention come to mind every October…
Because #ILPPWA: International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action happens every year in the final week of October.
And 2021 marks the ninth week – thanks to the work of Elizabeth O'Brien, from The LEAD Group.
This year we have a lot to celebrate!
And what better way than to team up with the go-to person for all things lead, Elizabeth O'Brien herself.
Elizabeth has campaigned tirelessly for 30 years.
She is the co-founder of The LEAD Group, which was formed by a trio of parents of lead poisoned children.
This not-for-profit organisation has dedicated itself to preventing lead poisoning and spreading awareness about the risks.
As well, they have created almost 100 fact sheets and an array of solutions sheets which are freely available to help consumers arm themselves.
Which is unfortunately due to the shortfall of policy and guidance from federal government.
Today, we discuss some incredible progress that has been made –
Real wins for health (and the environment).
As well, we discuss WHY you should care about lead…
Because it isn't only about lowered IQ…
And, of course, some action that you can take.
Important Points to Consider
Despite lead now being phased out of petrol, lead dust can still be found around busy roads, in soil and in ceiling dust
As discussed, from 1st October 2021 no Australian manufacturer is allowed to add lead to paint (apart from the two exceptions of anti-fouling paints and anti-corrosion primers), paint containing low levels of lead may still be used as tradies and suppliers use up existing stock
The best place to start is always with a Blood Lead Level test (for every member of the household) – if the result is not below 1ug/dL, then lead-remediation action needs to be taken
Say what? Environmental stressors can cause blindness????
Yup.
Let me illustrate this with a story about Billie.
Billie (not her real name) is a young Mum who is super keen to ensure her bubba is safe. She’d heard about 5G and noticed some of the attention it was getting. So she asked Dr Google, she joined FB groups, she sought out information from everywhere.
Out came Protective Mamma Bear.
5G became an obsession. It consumed every available moment between changing nappies, feeding, washing, playing with bubba and sleep…. Well, to be honest, it even started to creep in there too – as she dreamed about #5G.
Billie was so obsessed with 5G that she thought nothing of using her tablet while bubba slept, while it connected to the wi-fi.
The humidifier in bubba’s room that was causing mould to grow on the ceiling didn’t even enter her mind.
The perfume she spritzed on her body and clothes didn’t get a mention.
She was so caught up in the one issue, that she saw nothing else.
Not surprisingly, she was blinded by her obsession with one environmental stressor.
Billie is not alone. Environmental Stressors are Hugely Important
Billie’s story is not unique. I see this time and time again – be it around #SmartMeters, #fragrances, #lead, #mould… any #EnvironmentalStressor.
Whilst it is valid to be informed and proactive, there are quite a lot of issues with this kind of blinkered focus on one thing.
In a nutshell, the issues are:
🤷🏽♂️ There is a lot of mis-information, hype and well-marketed nonsense. As a result, you can end up spending a lot of time and money on unnecessary things
🔎 With all the mis-information, you might end up doing something that could make things worse
🔍 Usually, when my team and I assess homes of people like Billie, we find all sorts of other problems that are much larger issues than the one they are stressing about… the blinkers need to come off to be able to address the bigger picture
And yet, there is much more to this…
It is one small word that has massive ramifications.
🔎 It is #stress 🔎
Stress can cause a whole gamut of problems. It can:
😡 Reduce your ability to #detoxify
😞 Negatively impact your #sleep (and as a result, your mood)
😕 Cause a release of all sorts of chemicals in the body that ultimately reduce your #resilience
AND, this next one is the worst of all, in my opinion.
😔 Stress can cause you to freeze up, become #overwhelmed and take NO action
I believe strongly in taking #empowered action.
There is always something you can do to make a difference.
Even if it feels small, it is enormous!
So, I urge you to keep perspective, to open your heart to the wonderful things in life, and draw inspiration to take empowered action.
One of my favourite recommendations is to put flowering plants in your garden (or balcony). This will help the birds, bees, insects and your loved ones.
Take a moment to imagine how the world would benefit if every single person did this?
Moving (and house hunting) is a highly stressful time…
Add to the mix the need to avoid environmental stressors, keep to a tight budget and manage with low tolerance – house hunting becomes almost impossible.
Sound familiar?
I get it – not only have I been there myself, but I've also guided many clients through this process.
I have also seen things go pear-shaped. Very pear-shaped… Like one of my earliest pre-purchase inspections.
You would not believe what happened…
My client arranged for me to do the inspection… So I arrived on this sunny afternoon, excited to determine if this house was suitable for him.
“Let's go in!” I said.
“Uh-uh! Not me. Every time I go in there, I get sick. You go in and assess it.”
I did a double-take.
Why would he want me to assess the place if he can't be in while I inspect it????
I explained the scenario to him – all set to head back to the office. But he wanted to go ahead. So, I did. And my report recommended that he keep looking. My professional advice was disregarded. He bought the place…
And moved out almost as fast as he had moved in.
There is no need to make the same mistakes.
If you have been looking for a new place no doubt money is tight. You may not have enough time to organise a professional indoor environmental health assessment done. Stress levels are through the roof.
You've moved before, and it is essential that you don't have to move again because you can't end up in another place that is unsafe, nay, uninhabitable.
The track running in your mind goes something like this:
What do I do?
How can I avoid the things that make me sick?
How can I protect your health and that of my loved ones?
Am I right?
So here's what you can do:
Learn my “Crystal Ball” method;
Draw on my training, experience and insight so that you can keep a property on or your list or cross it off with confidence; and
Become EMPOWERED to make sound decisions for your health and that of your loved ones.
You don't need to invest tens of thousands of dollars or years of time training and equipment…
You just need someone to show you #PROtips and tricks so that you can shortlist properties for yourself with confidence…
Be able to confidently cross places off your list, keeping only the good ones;
Avoid having to gather the energy to look at places, only to be sick for weeks after;
Save time, money and energy.
All of my years of training, experience, up skilling and knowledge have been consolidated into 13 online lessons, complete with worksheets, my black book of online resources and the essential 122-point checklist so you know you've covered all bases.
Just what the doctor ordered, hey?
Do you suffer from environmental sensitivities?
Desperately trying to find a home that isn’t going to make you sick, or sicker?
Feel forced to settle on a less-than-ideal home because funds are tight?
Multiple home assessments haven’t helped you find the perfect place, but you can’t afford to keep coughing up cash?
A LIFE-CHANGING ONLINE COURSE THAT’S ONE-OF-A-KIND
In Looking for a New Place? How to Avoid the Pitfalls, indoor environmental health expert Lucinda Curran reveals how to streamline the house-hunting process, eliminate uninhabitable homes with confidence, and make a promising shortlist of homes for professional assessments.
No more:
Time wasted on pointless inspections
Money spent on unnecessary assessments
Needless exposure to toxins at inspections
Settling for uninhabitable properties
Heartache on learning that the ‘perfect’ home wasn’t right after all
“THIS COURSE IS A MUST”
“I am now better able to rule out unsuitable properties from the comfort of my home which saves me time, energy and cuts down on exposures. The checklist of what to look for in and around the property is very comprehensive and makes it so easy to look for the potential dangers that may be lurking. This course is a must have for anyone wanting to know what to look for and avoid when searching for a healthy home.”
Lead exposure and poisoning can occur in three different ways – primary, secondary and tertiary.
The primary way, is through direct exposure – eating paint chips, accidentally swallowing a lead sinker, consuming water or food that has been contaminated.
The secondary way includes exposure to dust from leaded petrol, consume plants that are grown in contaminated soil, and similar.
These first two methods of exposure can result in lead being stored in the bones, and potentially also the brain.
The tertiary way occurs when lead is released from its storage sites within the body and re-poisons you.
This can happen when you are pregnant, lactate and go through menopause.
This is because as people age, generally their bones leach lead back into the body.
It is interesting when you look at the list of health issues that can be related to lead poisoning and you see that many of them are generally considered to be “diseases of ageing” – dementia, cataracts, hypertension (high blood pressure) and more.
In 2004, Elizabeth O’Brien was awarded the United Nations of Australia Association World Environment Day Award for Outstanding Service to the Environment.
As well, she has been involved in lead poisoning prevention for almost three decades and is the instigator of the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action.
I had the honour of catching up with this incredible environmental activist… here’s our interview.
We discussed how this Week of Action came about, and what the World Health Organisation is working on
Why it is important to act in prevention of lead poisoning (which includes safely removing it from the body)
The effects of lead on the body
Diseases of “ageing”
How to test for lead and the optimal limit
What sort of testing is reliable
The pros and cons of spot testing
Unexpected sources of lead – including in our diet (you will be surprised!)
When I first began assessing buildings for health hazards, I was dumbfounded to discover leadlighting (aka stained glass in the US) still used lead. Yes, despite the known risks, lead is still used for leadlighting!
My concerns:
Anyone creating leadlight glass products would have a higher than usual exposure to lead
Many houses have leadlighting throughout, especially the “Golden Age” homes – so these doors and windows are quite accessible to children and pets
As well, older leadlighting can begin to break down, so lead levels in house dust can be elevated
Lead tastes sweet (so I am told!) – which is why so many children suck on paint chips.
Recently I created three images for the Volcano Art Prize – run by LeadSafeWorld.
“Test Your Soil”
Lead can easily contaminate our soil – from traffic dust, breaking down paints, and even through the water (lead-based solders, or water collected from a roof that has lead flashing).
Message: if you are planning a veggie garden or a chook run, it is recommended that you have the soil tested first.
“Distressed”
A very fashionable paint look at the moment is the “distressed look.” More often than not, this is deliberately done. However, peeling paint on older buildings very likely contains lead – and then sanding is definitely not recommended.
Message: if you have an older building, either test the paint for lead OR encapsulate it by adding layers of paint and be sure never to sand it.
“Look Up!”
This image was designed to help people remember that lead dust, amongst many other contaminants may be found in the roof/ceiling void.
Message: Before any renovation, even the installation of downlights, have a member of the Australian Dust Removalists Association (ADRA) remove the dust from your ceiling void safely.
Prevention is better than cure!
Please help create awareness. Lead poisoning is not as uncommon as it should be.
If you have any concerns – please feel free to get in touch.
Lead Poisoning Prevention is Better than Cure
