Lead Risk in Scraping a Fire Escape?
I was wondering if anyone knew about the proper way to safely scrape down a rusty fire escape. Since most of that old paint is lead based, wouldn’t scraping it off put lead into the air? Of course I’d wear protective equipment, but how dangerous is that to tenants and/or neighbors? Is closing their windows…
I was wondering if anyone knew about the proper way to safely scrape down a rusty fire escape. Since most of that old paint is lead based, wouldn’t scraping it off put lead into the air? Of course I’d wear protective equipment, but how dangerous is that to tenants and/or neighbors? Is closing their windows enough? My bigger concern was the airborne part of it, but maybe that’s less risky since the work is being done outside?
We have great resources on lead safe practices collected in one place at http://zipwall.com/epa.php. Hope you will find them helpful.
Use Rust Converter!!!
You will not believe these products till you see it in use. You paint directly over rust and dirt and it creates a primer coat. I used it for steel scenery that had rusted in a trailer and was amazed. Some times it needed a second coat. it was around $40.00 a gallon.
Try it, you will like it.
I saw a fire escape in park slope being painted recently and they had a tarp wrapped around the whole thing.
If it were me, I’d do that and also lay a large plastic sheet over the ground beneath, with a very generous perimeter. You are supposed to build an “edge” on your sheet (tuck a 2″by 4″ in the outside to make a lip and contain debris). You need to wrap it up carefully and tape when you are disposing.
Lots of people on this forum like to say “don’t worry about lead” but it’s EPA law and a serious toxin especially for pregnant women and babies/children.
Remember to clean yourself, clothes, skin, hair, when coming in from work too. I think contractors have to wear respirators and hazmat suits now when handling lead paint. Maybe a respirator is not a bad idea.
I don’t know what the law says, but I think the reality is that fire escapes get scraped and repainted on small buildings around the city all the time and the workers are not using hazmat suits and setting up tents. They wear a cheap face mask and use drop cloths to collect the fallen paint chips and sweep up when they’re done.
While it is illegal to do-it-yourself in most towns, I don’t think any bldg inspectors have you in their cross-hairs from a neighboring roof. That said if you do plan on DIY you could use various liquids to minimize the potential airborne particulates. And they will be minimal. And it’s not like plutonium is being released into the air. Lead, like french fries takes years of ingesting to have real mal effects.
Just continue to water down, spray the area as you remove the paint. You want to have easy to dispose of drop cloths that can then be put into heavy duty garbage bags. Again, it’s not like asbestos or anything where you need to wear a hazmat suit. I have been removing paint for many years. And the fact that I have one lung left shouldn’t concern anyone. (just kidding – complete great bill of health).
Dry sanding of paint of unknown composition is illegal in homes, daycare centers, and schools in NYC. Still, I think you are right to be concerned about lead dust going places. Also, my understanding is that where the lead dust lands, it stays – for a long time. So if children play on the ground below this project, there is the potential for a problem. Maybe test the paint first on the odd chance it is not lead based (paint stores and HD have test kits). Any chance you can chemically strip it? Any chance a tent can be put up around the fire escape? I am not saying this would meet safety criteria, but it is worth exploring and commercial operators set these up all the time with vacuum filter systems.
If you do proceed with this on your own, be sure to remove the clothing you wear during the project before going into your house or around children.
Steve
dry sanding or scraping of any paint is illegal in NYC. happens all the time though. currently several law suits from parents with children tested with high lead levels who live near where this same type of work was done.