Lead paint: health risks and management
The health risks of lead paint
Lead is a toxic metal that can cause a range of health problems when ingested or inhaled. All forms of lead can be hazardous to your worker’s health and sometimes also to those around your workplace. Lead exposure can potentially cause reproductive issues, hypertension, nerve disorders, and memory and concentration problems.
Lead paint becomes a hazard as it ages and deteriorates, releasing lead dust into the air and or potentially contaminating the soil around a property. Exposure to lead is increased during renovation, repair, or demolition work when the disturbance of painted surfaces can create inhalable lead dust.
In December 2017, a new Australian Standard (AS/NZS 4361.2:2017 Guide to hazardous paint management Lead paint in residential, public and commercial buildings) was published for management of lead paint in buildings. The Standard saw a major change in the safe concentration standard, which was reduced from 1.0% lead down to 0.1%, and now reflects the paint manufacturing definition of lead-free which has been 0.1% concentration since 1997.
How to assess lead paint risks in your home or workplace
Identify the Age of Your Building: If your building was built before 1970, it is more likely to have layers of lead paint. Buildings constructed between 1970 and 2010 may also contain lead paint, though generally in lower concentrations.
Visual Inspection: Check for chipping, peeling, or deteriorating paint on walls, doors, frames, windows, and other painted surfaces.
Testing: DIY lead paint test kits are available but may not always be reliable. For a definitive assessment, consider hiring a certified professional who can conduct a thorough inspection and use more sophisticated techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) or laboratory analysis.
Managing lead paint hazards
Regular Maintenance: Keep painted surfaces in good condition to minimise chipping or peeling. Stabilise any deteriorated paint promptly by sealing, painting, or enclosing the lead-painted areas.
Safe Work Practices: work on lead-painted surfaces should avoid dry scraping or sanding. Wet methods used to suppress dust or heat guns at temperatures lower than 600 degrees Celsius can be used to minimise vapour hazards.
Professional Help: at the end of the day, it's advisable to hire professionals trained in safe lead removal practices for works involving lead products.
Remediation and removal of lead paint
Encapsulation: involves covering the lead paint with a specially designed liquid coating that hardens to form a protective barrier over the lead paint. Encapsulation is generally less costly and less risky than removal.
Enclosure: involves covering old lead-painted surfaces with new materials such as drywall or paneling. This method can be used for walls and ceilings.
Abatement: is the most thorough method. Techniques include wet hand scraping after applying a chemical paste (paint stripper) that softens the paint, or using a vacuum tool equipped with a HEPA filter alongside other tools. Lead abatement should always be completed by certified professionals.
Cleanup and Disposal: Post-remediation, it's crucial to clean all surfaces of lead dust with a HEPA vacuum followed by wet mopping. Disposal of lead-containing waste should follow local environmental regulations.
Conclusion
Lead paint is a serious concern in older Australian buildings, but with proper assessment, management, and remediation, the risks can be significantly minimised. If your property contains lead paint, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and seek professional advice.
