This old house: comparative hazards of paint removal techniques.

Maintenance of old homes can be an extremely hazardous activity if improperly done. For example, lead poisoning can arise from exposure to lead-based paint chips as well as dust produced during prep work for repainting. In this issue, researchers led by Howard W. Mielke of Xavier University of Louisiana attempt to broaden the discussion by looking at a variety of metals existing in old paint besides lead, including cadmium, manganese, nickel, copper, cobalt, chromium, and vanadium [EHP 109:973–978]. They also compare the effect of two different paint renovation methods on the accumulation of lead in interior and exterior environments. Their findings illustrate the need for curtailing power sanding and the related hazards of metal dust in preparation for house painting, and suggest a safer method of preparation. By pulverizing old paint, power sanding can release many paintbound metals that accumulate in the environment because they don't decompose. The authors note that in addition to lead, power sanding can release enough cadmium, manganese, and nickel to not only place painters at risk of overexposure but also " contribute to exposure during a critical window of childhood that may contribute to chronic health problems later on in life. " The study was inspired by the experiences of a New Orleans family that had undertaken the renovation of their wood frame 1920s house (house 1). Old paint was removed by a professional painting company by power sanding. Consequent health hazards first showed up when the family dog died six weeks after power sanding began. The family was forced to vacate their house, and all three children were hospitalized with elevated blood lead concentrations. When advised by the hospital not to return to their house, the family consulted Mielke for advice on dealing with their lead-contaminated home. The painting project at house 2 was begun later. After observing the misfortune of their house 1 neighbors, the house 2 family chose to have their house dry-scraped in preparation for painting. Mielke and colleagues decided to conduct a case study on house 2 to determine whether scraping is a safer alternative for managing lead-based paint. The researchers collected dust and paint samples from the two houses. They also collected paint samples from 29 other houses in the city to determine the content of lead and other metals. Elevated lead levels remained in house 1 even after repeated vacuuming with a HEPA-filter vacuum, mopping with a three-bucket …