paint may contain lead, which is poisonous. Any
Before beginning any paint removal process you should determine whether the paint you are removing contains lead. This can be done by your local health department or by a profes- sional who uses a paint analyzer to check lead content of the paint to be removed. LEAD-
BASED PAINT SHOULD ONLY BE RE- MOVED BY A PROFESSIONAL AND SHOULD NOT BE REMOVED USING A HEAT GUN.
•Move the workpiece outdoors. If this is not possible, keep the work area well ventilated. Open the windows and put an exhaust fan in one of them. Be sure the fan is moving the air from inside to outside.
•Seal work areas from rest of dwelling by sealing openings or doors with drop cloths. Work in limited areas or one room at a time will help to limit paint or dust contamination.
•Remove or place furnishings in center of room then cover any carpets, rugs, furni- ture, clothing, cooking utensils and air ducts. Place drop cloths in the work area to catch paint chips or peelings, at the end of each work session put the paint chips and debris in a double plastic bag, close it with tape or twist ties and dispose of properly.
•Do not allow children, pregnant or poten- tially pregnant women and nursing mothers in work area until work and clean up is complete. Certain individuals may be at risk, if not properly protected.
•Do not eat or keep food and drink in work area. Do not smoke or chew gum or tobacco products in the work area. Paint residue or dust may settle on or in food containers which can cause the transmission of poisons to your body.
•Wear a dust respirator mask or dual filter (dust and fume) respirator mask which has
been approved by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), the Na- tional Institute of Safety and Health (NIOSH) or the United States Bureau of Mines. These types of masks and replaceable filters are readily available at major hardware stores. Be sure the mask fits securely, beards and facial hair may keep masks from sealing properly. Change fil- ters often. DISPOSABLE PAPER MASKS
ARE NOT ADEQUATE.
•Wear protective clothing such as extra work shirts, overalls and hats. Paint residue or dust may settle on your skin which may cause the transmission of poisons to your body.
•DO NOT SWEEP, DRY DUST OR VACUUM paint shavings, dust or peelings during the clean up process. Clean up all removed paint and dust by wet mopping the floors. Use a wet cloth to clean all walls, sills and any other surface where paint or dust is clinging. Use a phosphate detergent or triso- dium phosphate (TSP) to wash and mop areas.
•Always remove protective clothing and work shoes in the work area to avoid carry- ing dust into rest of the dwelling. Wash work clothes separately. Wipe shoes off with a wet rag that is then washed with the work clothes. Wash hair and body including hands, arms and face thoroughly with soap and water. Rinse your mouth
Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and other construction
activities contains chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:
•Lead from
•Crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry products, and
•Arsenic and chromium from chemically treated lumber.
Your risk from these exposures varies, de- pending on how often you do this type of work. To reduce your exposure to these chemicals: work in a well ventilated area, and work with approved safety equipment, such as those dust masks that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles.
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