SURFACE PREPARATION SAFETY

Scraping, sanding and patching are necessary for nearly all jobs and can create fine dust particles or fragments known as “nuisance dust.” Extended exposure to such conditions without a particulate filter mask can be hazardous to your health.

Dust and debris may contain lead or asbestos, which greatly increases the risk of personal injury if proper safety precautions are not followed. Be especially suspicious of older buildings with badly deteriorating surfaces.

Lead-based paint is mostly found in houses built before 1950, although residential use of lead-containing paint was not banned until 1978.

Asbestos may be found in houses built before 1978, mostly in spackling compound, wallboard joint compound and sprayed acoustic ceiling texture. Other asbestoscontaining building materials include insulation and asbestos-cement shingles and siding

Lead poisoning through ingesting or inhaling can cause brain damage, especially in children under age six.

Pregnant women can pass lead to their unborn children, and nursing mothers can pass lead through breast milk to infants.

Asbestos that is inhaled can cause asbestosis (scarring of the lungs), lung cancer, and mesothelioma (cancer of the chest cavity lining). Exposures are cumulative, and smokers are particularly at risk

There are several options when it comes to determining the presence of lead:

Option 1: Purchase a home test kit at a local hardware or home improvement store. Most tests involve mixing a testing solution and applying it to a painted surface. If the solution changes color, the paint contains lead.

Note: These kits only detect the presence of lead – not the amount or danger level of the lead. They cannot distinguish between true lead-based paint (up to 50% lead) and paint contaminated with residues of leaded gasoline exhaust

Option 2: Lab testing – send paint chip samples to a certified laboratory for chemical analysis.

Option 3: Have a lead risk assessment done by a professional contractor who is certified by your state.

Note: Asbestos can be identified only by sending a sample to a certified laboratory or calling an asbestos abatement contractor. Taking samples yourself is not recommended.

Certified Lead Abatement Contractors: It’s a good idea to use professionals for surfaces known to have lead-based paint if you don’t want to risk being exposed. Contractors can be found at epa.gov/lead

Certified Asbestos Abatement Contractors: Professionals skilled at removing all types of asbestos-containing building materials, including acoustic ceiling textures, insulation and asbestos-cement shingles. Contractors can be found at epa.gov/asbestos

Do not scrape or sand a surface covered with mold or mildew. This can release airborne spores that may cause mold or mildew to spread. See Dunn-Edwards brochure on Mold & Mildew.

Work on one room at a time. Remove plants, pets and as much furniture as you can. Cover remaining furniture, carpets and drapery so dust won’t penetrate porous materials.

Close off the work area by taping polysheeting over all doors, windows, floors and other exposed surfaces. Your Dunn-Edwards Paints store has tape and polysheeting for a variety of surfaces.

Turn off forced-air heating and air conditioning systems and cover vents with plastic.

Wash the work surfaces with a solution of water and an allpurpose household cleaner, available at most grocery stores.

If using TSP (Tri-Sodium Phosphate) in water, be sure to wear rubber gloves. TSP can be found at any Dunn-Edwards Paints store

Wear protective clothing and equipment, including a properly fitted NIOSH-approved particulate filter mask (rated N95 or higher) whenever sanding, scraping, or engaging in any activity hat generates airborne nuisance dust. Previously applied paints, caluks, and patching compounds may contain hazardous substances other than lead or asbestos.

Be sure to keep people who aren’t properly protected out of the work area.

Do not use a belt-sander, propane torch, heat gun, dry scraper or dry sandpaper on surfaces that may contain lead or asbestos.

Use a spray bottle to wet the surface before scraping and sanding and use wet/dry sandpaper or wet-sanding sponges.

Follow general surface preparation information about patching. A Dunn-Edwards sales associate will be happy to help you with details.

Paint removers are another option for removing paint from wood surfaces because they don’t create dust.

Wear personal protection equipment, including gloves, goggles and vapor respirator, and work in a well-ventilated area to avoid breathing harmful fumes.

Follow label directions for safe handling, clean-up and disposal of materials

Big pieces can be swept. For the smaller stuff, it’s best to use a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner. You can rent a HEPA vacuum from stores that carry remodeling tools. When finished, carefully empty the dust collected in the vacuum cleaner, being sure to dampen it with water first.

Mist dropcloths/plastic sheets before rolling them up to suppress dust.

Use heavy-duty plastic garbage bags to safely dispose of dust and debris.

Wash all surfaces thoroughly with a detergent solution and rinse with clean water. Because dust and debris travel easily, make sure to wash all areas – including floors, stairs and other horizontal surfaces – even if they are not going to be painted.

Have plenty of sponges, rags and buckets. Use one bucket for the cleaning solution, and one bucket for rinsing.

Change rinse water frequently (at least once for each room being cleaned) and rinse or replace rags and sponges often.

Don’t eat, drink or smoke while in the work area.

Wash your hands and face before eating, drinking or smoking.

Shower as soon as possible when done with clean-up.

Make sure to wash clothes and wipe off shoes.