Lead in paint
Learn everything you need to know about Lead in paint by downloading the Dulux Technical Advice PDF.
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Learn everything you need to know about Lead in paint by downloading the Dulux Technical Advice PDF.
LEAD ALERT – Lead is a health hazard so take it seriously!
Most Australian residential dwellings built before 1970 were coated with paints containing lead. Exposure to even small amounts of lead in old paint coatings presents a serious health risk, to both the occupant(s) and any contractor, if and when the old paint coatings are disturbed by either hand or power tools.
Dangerous levels of lead may be present in paint dust, paint flakes or paint waste which if swallowed or inhaled, can be very harmful to humans.
Lead is a heavy metal poison that accumulates in the body.
Children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers should be kept well away from surfaces or areas where lead paint is being disturbed and any contact with lead paint dust and debris should be avoided. If exposure to lead has occurred or is suspected, then see a doctor for a blood test to determine what action is needed.
Lead was used before 1970 as a primary pigment in house paints, industrial paints and automotive paints. It was also present in other additives. Lead-containing ingredients are not normally capable of evaporating from the paint film. They remain quite safely locked in place as long as the paint film is not disturbed.
Once disturbed by dry sanding and/or scraping, however, the dust and debris created will be lead-contaminated, which must be contained and disposed of following established best practices.
The fine particles created by the sanding process, make the lead more easily ingested by mouth and nose.
Before any maintenance work or surface preparation of old paintwork commences, thorough testing should first be carried out to detect if lead is present or not.
If lead is detected, stringent precautions will need to be employed to prevent any contact with lead-paint dust and debris so engaging a Master Painters Association-trained and qualified professional contractor is highly recommended.
The Australian Government's “The Six-step Guide to Painting Your Home (Third Edition)” provides basic information, but reading this advice or any other advice does not provide the necessary training or skills necessary to carry out the lead paint hazard management process.
The six steps are:
Step 1: Lead test – Find out if lead is present before work starts. Use a lead test kit to indicate if lead is present. More sophisticated scientific testing methods are also available from relevant authorities.
Step 2: Plan to stay safe – Contractors need to protect themselves, occupants, pets and surroundings at all times from exposure to lead contamination. Contractors will need to wear full PPE as per the guide.
Step 3: Protect the work area – Set up properly for the job at hand as detailed in the guide. Full containment of dust, debris, water and other contaminated materials is mandatory. All furniture and surroundings need to be well protected from lead contamination.
Step 4: Containment – Cover and/or remove the paint coatings that contain lead. Only use removal methods that do not create dust. Either wet sanding or chemical stripping are the accepted methods. Covering the lead-containing paint with fresh layers of paint or with other building materials is also an acceptable solution to ensure that the lead is not disturbed.
Step 5: Clean-up – Some dust is inevitable so clean up correctly to minimise the spread of lead-contaminated waste and debris. HEPA vacuum cleaners are necessary as household vacuum cleaners are unsuitable and must not be used. Use a plastic spray bottle with water to dampen down dust and debris during clean-up.
Step 6: Disposal – Lead-contaminated waste and debris is hazardous and must be disposed of following government legislation. Please refer to the guide for details.
The guide provides advice on:
How to test for the presence of lead-based paint
Instructions for removing old paint by proper methods using the right tools and equipment e.g. wet scraping, wet sanding, chemical stripping, or heat processes
Looking after yourself – using protective clothing (coveralls, booties, hat, gloves) and a respirator (meeting the requirements of AS/NZS 1716 )
How to clean up thoroughly and correctly
How to contain all lead-contaminated waste
How to dispose of this waste correctly
Note: Do-it-yourself household lead test kits are available and can be purchased from paint distributors and trade paint shops. These kits indicate whether lead is present or not however they are only guides and may not give a true or reliable reading. Accurate testing can be carried out by a qualified laboratory (costs may apply) using samples secured and supplied by a qualified contractor.
To avoid contact with lead-contaminated paint waste, refer to “The Six-step Guide to Painting your Home”. This guide highlights the unsafe work practices to avoid and the warnings to be aware of when renovating or repainting old dwellings.
The unsafe practices include:
Do not dry sand or dry scrape by hand tool or by power tool.
Do not sandblast or high-pressure water wash/blast.
Do not use heat guns or open flame burners to remove old paint.
Do not eat, drink or smoke in the work area containing lead waste.
Avoid working outside on wet or windy days when removing old paint.
Remove and contain all contaminated clothing before leaving the work area.
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before doing anything else.
Please contact Dulux Help & Advice line on 13 25 25 or email dulux.customer.service@dulux.com.au to assist with acquiring a ticket number prior to lead testing.
The Australian Paint Manufacturers Federation (APMF) has a fact sheet about lead in house paint on its website.
Learn more about lead in house paint at the Australian Government's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water website.
Please note that simply reading these websites or the "Guide to Painting your Home" mentioned above or any other advice on lead management does not make anyone a “trained professional”.
The Master Painters Association in each state has a list of qualified professional contractors trained in lead paint hazard management. These contractors can do larger renovation or maintenance jobs using the correct equipment and safety procedures.
Contractors interested in offering lead paint expertise should contact their local Master Painters Association who offer specialist courses in lead paint hazard management. Contact info@masterpainters.com.au or free call 1800 451 224.
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