DIYers Should Beware, Take Special Care in Older Homes

If your home was built before 1978, it likely has lead-based paint. When you work on lead-painted surfaces, you can be exposed to lead. Dry sanding, scraping or blasting can produce large amounts of poisonous dust and chips. Burning lead paint with a torch gives off lead fumes which are especially dangerous.

The dust and chips from lead-based paint are dangerous when swallowed or inhaled. The smallest lead dust particles cannot be seen, but they can get into the body. They are especially dangerous to young children and pregnant women. Lead can affect children’s developing nervous system, causing lower IQ and learning disabilities.

Beginning April 2010, contractors, remodelers, painters, plumbers, even neighborhood handymen who remodel and repair homes built before 1978, when leaded paint was banned, must be certified in safe removal practices and follow specific steps to prevent work site contamination. (Southlake Restoration and Remodeling has received its certification.)


More than half of the nation’s homes could contain paint with lead, which once was used to boost durability and brighten color, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which issued the new regulations. New lead safe rules have been designed protect children and adults from the devastating effects of lead poisoning.