Is the Paint in Your Facility Harmful to Children?

Although lead-based pain is mainly thought to be a problem in residential buildings built before 1978, lead paint was also commonly used in schools. National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 25-31, is a good time for facility managers and custodians in schools and other older facilities to consider the risks the paint in their buildings could pose to young children.

Any child can be exposed to lead, but those who live in homes or attend schools built before 1978, when the U.S. banned the manufacture of lead-based house paint, are at higher risk, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Other common risk factors include living near industrial facilities that work with lead, recently emigrating from countries with high levels of lead in the environment, and exposure to lead-containing products such as antique cookware and leaded crystal glassware.

There is no safe blood lead level in children and the toxic effects of lead exposure are irreversible. Even low levels of lead in blood affect a child’s IQ, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement.

If your school was built before 1978, assume it has lead-based paint, advises the Vermont Department of Health. Even if the lead paint is underneath other layers of paint, the lead can be exposed during renovation projects, or if the wall is damaged causing several layers of paint to peel off. This lead can be released in the form of dust or paint chips. 

When renovating older schools, follow lead-safe work practices:

• Limit unauthorized access to the work
• Enclose the work area with plastic sheeting or another effective lead dust barrier
• Wear protective clothing
• Mist painted surfaces before disturbing paint
• Use manual surface preparation methods—do not use work practices that could generate dust
• Follow good hygiene practices before leaving the work area to ensure that lead remains in the work area
• Use housekeeping and cleanup procedures that will leave the work area in a condition that is safe for re-occupancy.

Do not use the following work practices or products:

• Dry scraping
• Chemical strippers, especially those containing methylene chloride
• Open flame burning or torching
• Heat guns operated above 1100 degrees Fahrenheit
• Dry sweeping of lead-contaminated areas or surfaces.