Advice on lead paint in older homes
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is my paintwork safe?
- How will I know if there's lead in my paintwork?
- Is there a risk to me or my family?
- How can we make sure we're safe?
- Where can I find out more?
Is my paintwork safe?
Yes, if it's used and treated properly
How will I know if there's lead in my paintwork?
- The age of your home is a good guide. If it was built before the 1960s and still has original coats of paint, there could be some lead around.
- Another clue is if your paintwork is quite thick - lead could be locked into the oldest layers. That's not a problem if it's in good condition and you don't plan to redecorate.
- Modern household paints do not contain added lead and are not dangerous. So if you're home is newer, there won't be any lead there. If it has recently had a new coat of paint, this probably will have sealed any lead in.
Is there a risk to me or my family?
- The people most at risk from lead are young children and pregnant women.
- If you think the paintwork is likely to get knocked or chewed by young children or scratched by pets, for example, or if it could be damaged in some other way that could release lead dust into your home, it would be best to sort it out now.
- If you are planning any redecorating there are ways you can deal with lead paintwork safely.
- If you think your home does have lead paintwork, especially if its in bad condition, peeling or flaking - it's best to be on the safe side. So read on.
How can we make sure we're safe?
- The easiest way of dealing with lead paintwork - if it's in good condition - is to seal it in with an overcoating of modern paint.
- But if the paintwork is in bad condition and needs to be removed before you can redecorate, use methods that don't create dust or fumes, like a solvent or caustic-based liquid stripper. Don't forget to follow the safety instructions if you do use solvents or liquid strippers, and remember that solvent-free, water-based paint removers are now available - ask your DIY dealer for details.
- If you have to use a hot-air gun, use it just enough to soften the paint - don't burn it because this will give off fumes. A good guide is to make sure your gun is set below 450°C. Keep surfaces moist when removing paint.
- Wear protective clothes, gloves and a good quality face mask with a filter conforming to EN143 P2. Shut off the work area and don't let other members of your family in, especially children or pregnant women. If possible, remove furniture and carpets; otherwise cover them completely.
- When you break from the work, store the clothes you've been wearing safely (perhaps in a sealed plastic bag) and wash your hands and any other bare skin before you do anything else.
- When you've taken most of the paint off, moisten the surface and smooth it with a water-proof abrasive paper - don't use sandpaper.
- When you've finished, put the paint you've removed and any collected on coverings in a safe container - a sealed plastic bag will do - and put it out with the rubbish.
- Clean the room you've been working in and any coverings used with a solution of dishwasher detergent (not washing up liquid). If you need to get rid of any dust after decorating, you may have to use an industrial standard vacuum cleaner (complying with British Standard 5415), and wash the clothes you've been working in separately from any others.
Where can I find out more?
- You can find more detailed advice by clicking on the Advice Sheets at the top of this page.
- You can also contact the Defra Helpline on 08459 33 55 77 or email: helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk
- If you're not sure you can deal with the paintwork safely by yourself, call in a professionally qualified firm of decorators - you can find out who they are from one of the associations representing decorating contractors (see Advice Sheet 5).
Page published: 12 August 2005