What's new

How dangerous is lead-based paint? (1 Viewer)

Drew Bethel

Screenwriter
Joined
Nov 22, 1999
Messages
1,209
Well, we're in the process of buying a lovely English Tudor home that was made in 1937. Our realtor said homes made before the late 70's are almost guaranteed to have lead based paint -- so we shouldn't even waste the money to have a specialist come out to tell us what he knows already. He said just don't eat the paint chips.

We still plan to go through with the purchase but I'm just wondering if we're missing anything key. Cheers...
 

Joel Mack

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jun 29, 1999
Messages
2,317
I would imagine that he's correct. As long as you're not eating paint chips, you're probably okay... You also have to consider any current or future rugrats.... :)
 
E

Eric Kahn

the main pigment in white paint until the mid 70's was white lead, since most paints are a white base mixed with tint, you can see where that leads
if you are going to sand any of the paint, get a dust mask, lead dust is very bad even for adults, also consider using a wet sanding technique to control the dust
all the lead awareness training I got was good for something I see
 

Denward

Supporting Actor
Joined
Feb 26, 2001
Messages
552
I live in a 100 year old home and I have a 10 month old daughter. Lead is bad for nerve and brain development, which is most importmant for young children. Breathing dust is probably more likely than eating chips. As mentioned already, if you're doing any sanding, then get proper respiratory protection. Make sure the mask you buy is meant for sanding lead paint. Those dust masks all look the same, but there are different grades of masks. Dust from sanding can remain suspended in the air for quite a few days so you might want to get a HEPA filter in there and run it for a few days after any sanding. You also have to worry about doors that don't fit properly and knock off paint when you try to close them.
 

Drew Bethel

Screenwriter
Joined
Nov 22, 1999
Messages
1,209
Some great advice here! Thanks.

PS I just remembered that I grew up in a house that was built in the 30's...and I'm cool and the gang.
 

Joel Mack

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jun 29, 1999
Messages
2,317
I just remembered that I grew up in a house that was built in the 30's...and I'm cool and the gang.
I dunno...you seem to be under the impression that women at Mall of America are hotter than just about any other women in the world... ;)
 

LewB

Screenwriter
Joined
Feb 11, 2002
Messages
1,282
If you are really curious about the presence of lead paint, I believe that test kits are available at Home Depot.
You might also want to check with your local buildings department and see what the local/state regulations are regarding lead paint. They might require 'abatement' if you ever decide to re-model and pull a building permit. The big problem with lead paint is the 'child factor' how can you guarantee that there will never be a child in the house ?
Be careful when taking advice from a Realtor, they work for the seller.
 

KyleS

Screenwriter
Joined
Jul 24, 2000
Messages
1,232
The reason that you have to be careful with lead based paint is that when it cracks or peels it falls on the floor. Anyone that has children can tell you that those little pieces of paint, dirt, hell anything will be found, picked up and then eaten. This is where the danger is really at. (Unless you are crazy enough to sand it with children in the house). As long as you make sure its not peeling or better yet paint over it you shouldnt have a problem.

Not sure on the laws in your state but in Oregon and I believe California you cant sell a home if it has been determined that it has lead paint on the walls until it is removed or a good paint job has been applied over the top and any loose lead paint removed before painting.

KyleS
 

Greg_R

Screenwriter
Joined
Apr 9, 2000
Messages
1,996
Location
Portland, OR
Real Name
Greg
Lead paint was typically used on nicer homes (it was an expensive premium paint). My entire neighborhood was built before 1970 and none of the houses have lead paint.
 

Kevin T

Screenwriter
Joined
Jul 12, 2001
Messages
1,402
like many have said...lead paint can be dangerous if you're breathing the dust or eating the chips. i don't forsee you eating the chips but if you ever have a child that does...well, you're in for a treat. i worked at a group home for severely mentally retarded children and there was one child there who was way off the scale. the director stated that the main cause for this was eating lead paint as a child. of course, the fact that his parents didn't try to stop him and systematically raped
him until child welfare found out didn't help him much either.

kevin t
 

Michael D. Bunting

Screenwriter
Joined
Jun 9, 1999
Messages
1,829
Real Name
Michael
Drew
I just purchased a new home myself...though I'm buying new construction...
You may already have the follwoing information, but here is what I have found out:

The seller or sales agent must give you the EPA pamphlet "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home" or other EPA-approved lead hazard information. The seller or sales agent must tell you what the seller actually know's about the home's lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards and give you any revelant records or reports.
You have at least 10 days to do an inspection or risk assesment for lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards. However, to have the right to cancel the sale based on the results of an inspection or risk assesment, you will need to negotiate this condition with the seller.
Finally, the seller must attach a disclosure form to the agreemement of sale which will include a Lead Warning Statement. You, the seller, and the sales agent will sign to acknowledge that these notification requirements have been satisfied.
Good luck Drew!
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Forum statistics

Threads
356,710
Messages
5,121,107
Members
144,146
Latest member
SaladinNagasawa
Recent bookmarks
1
Top