Rewiring: how concerned do I need to be about lead?

Hi all, This may fall under the horse-has-left-the-barn category, but we just had our house rewired and now that they are nearly done have found that we did not do anything like the work that we should have done to properly protect our things. There is dust everywhere. The house is a 100 years old so I assume it has lead paint, but it has been well maintained and little touched. My question is, to what degree should I be freaking out about lead in the dust that has been created? We obviously need a good cleaning, but to what degree does it need to be about lead vs just extensive mopping, vacuuming with HEPA filter, etc? What about on the house’s surfaces vs our things? Do I need to throw away all the rugs and kids’ things, for instance? I go back and forth between panic and thinking it’s probably a relatively miniscule portion of the mess created. Thanks in advance for any thoughts, cleaning recommendations, resources, etc.

nf85

in Cleaning and Maid Services 13 years and 8 months ago

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well_pHed | 13 years and 8 months ago

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Having been through lead issues of our own during the spring, here’s what I gleaned from talking to multiple lead-abatement folks.  First, EPA’s laws only apply if you are disturbing a certain amount of sq. footage of lead-paint area, which this project may not have.  Second, lead is heavy so it will tend to fall.  Initially, this means close to where it existed in the paint.  But eventually, small particles may fall from walls, particles may move and concentrate in cellars and bottom floors.  Third, the dust will travel on shoes, etc., so if you are contaminated, be careful not to make it worse through cross-contamination.   Fourth, unless a child has a serious health problem (e.g., iron deficiency), the most vulnerable kids are those who are mobile (scooting, crawling) but not yet walking.  Dust on hands, hand to mouth, etc.  If your kids are older than this, you should still clean but you might have time to see what your insurance will cover, etc.  Fifth, have someone come in to do a bunch of lead swipe tests just to see what you’re dealing with, and where your hot spots are.   It costs about $10 per sample.  I think I found the guy we used by searching the brownstoner forum.     You can do the cleaning yourself if you think you have the time and energy.  I got really ridiculous quotes for cleaning, and the most honest of them told me that it’s completely do-able yourself. 1) get the kids out for a couple days, get a couple of masks (they sell lead-abatement ones at home depot for $5 or so), gloves and disposable overshoe booties for yourself, and clothes you can trash 2) vacuum with HEPA filter vac, starting with cleanest areas first.  clean most of the dust this way, from walls, mouldings, window sills, etc.  Spend most of your time on this.  Buy extra brushes to switch out if one gets really dirty.  Of course, be careful when you remove the bag and throw it away. 3) they make lead-specific cleaners.  one is called ledisolv.  but you can try to clean first with a regular cleaner or dish soap and then do your lead test.  cheaper and probably less harsh on your surfaces.  either way,  buy a couple bags of painters rags, and use a two-bucket system to clean and rinse all the areas where lead dust is most likely to have fallen.  throw out the rags when used. 4) for the kids toys: a) stuffed animals should be washed or tossed if they were anywhere near dusty areas; b) we wiped down all the plastic toys and books with our usual eco-friendly, baby-safe cleaner, then did some swipe tests (which you can buy online for $25 or so) which came up negative. 5) Test again once you are done.  Good luck!

callalily | 13 years and 8 months ago

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If you have young children under the age of five, have them stay elsewhere while you clean up. Hire a professional crew and you can also go over it yourself multiple times with damp rags, shop vac, etc. You can also test for lead first. There are professional companies who do this sort of cleaning all the time after fires, puff backs, etc. Serve Pro cleaned our three story plus basement house in two days. They were fantastic. Costs a fortune — insurance paid for ours. But call them up and see what they say.

slopegirl | 13 years and 8 months ago

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I’m pretty sure EPA (or some agency) has strict laws in place about construction projects in places with lead paint. If you have kids or someone is pregnant, I’d rather be safe than sorry. Seems to me you can cover everything up, clean up, remove coverings and be fine. I can’t imagine why you’d have to throw stuff out. Maybe move things out of a room if there’s a lot of demolition in there. The thing about dust is it takes awhile to settle and remove. You usually have to clean a few times to get it all out.

wiley | 13 years and 8 months ago

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It’s more problematic if you have young children at home as they are more susceptable to lead risks. I wouldn’t get too freaked out – you can do some basic things – vacuum with a hepa filter, any other vacuum will just put lead dust back into the air……….and  wipe down surfaces with water. I’m sure others will have additional suggestions.