LEAD-BASED PAINT HAZARDS: CONSIDERATIONS FOR HISTORIC PROPERTY MANAGERS, PART II

By Martha Raymond, Department Head, Technical and Review Services, Ohio Historic Preservation Office

Local History Notebook, January / February 1997

This two-part "Notebook" deals with a not uncommon problem for historic sites--lead-based paint hazards. In part two, Martha Raymond discusses techniques to help control lead hazards, including interim controls and abatements, and encapsulation and replacement. A glossary of important terms is also included.

Interim Controls and Abatement

In crafting current lead-based paint regulations, there has been a conscious effort to avoid an over-reaction in legislating the control of lead hazards. There has been an attempt to provide effective and cost-conscious requirements. Early lead-paint abatement guidelines that required 100% abatement were difficult to implement. Current national guidelines recommend setting priorities for lead reduction, dealing with the most hazardous conditions first, and eliminating lead paint over time. Guidelines are set for interim controls and abatement.

Lead hazard abatement includes outright removal of the paint, replacement of building components covered with lead-based paint, covering specific areas using a process known as encapsulation, removal or covering of lead-contaminated soil, and disposal of lead-contaminated materials.

Encapsulation and Replacement

If interim measures are not sufficient to control lead hazards, additional treatments include:

1. Encapsulation: Encapsulation is the process of covering the surface of a feature and thus removing any exposed lead-based components. Use of encapsulation techniques can be appropriate for some features of historic properties. Walls with peeling paint or plaster can be coated with a vapor-barrier paint and covered over with a fabric or wall paper. However, using just wallpaper has been determined to be ineffective as an encapsulant as the surface should be washable and easy to maintain. (Additional layers of oil or latex-based paint provide adequate protection, but are acceptable as encapsulant only in some states). Floors could be covered with linoleum that is tucked under at the edges of the room, but using it only in a way where it can be removed without damaging the floor. Floors can also be coated with polyurethane or paint after making sure the dust and dirt is completely removed. Encapsulation of significant historic features should be avoided, because it may result in a loss of historic character. For example, rigid encapsulants should not be used to cover significant historic mantels, paneling, or historic siding. Enclosure of wooden siding with modem vinyl or aluminum siding may not only diminish the architectural integrity of the property, but may cause damage to historic materials by concealing water problems and creating a favorable environment for wood rot.

2. Replacement: Replacement of existing features can be an appropriate abatement technique if the feature is deteriorated beyond repair or if the feature is of minor significance. Replacing some baseboards or window stops can be an easy way to eliminate impact or friction surfaces without much loss to historic character. Replacement of significant repairable or intact features is not recommended because loss of the historic material diminishes historic character. If significant features are removed, they should be stored for later reinstallation.

The following are some important points to keep in mind during and after lead reduction or abatement. Untrained workers can worsen conditions; for abatement projects, all workers must be properly trained by an accredited training program. However, it is important that the property manager observe the work to make sure basic procedures are followed. During the process of abatement, ensure that the rooms undergoing work are properly sealed-off and that clean-work procedures are followed. For example, any mechanical scraping or paint removal with a heat gun will require, at minimum, a half-face respirator fitted with HEPA cartridge filters. Contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for information about protective clothing and equipment; their requirements for worker protection take into account amount of lead-dust generated by various tasks. If work is taking place on the exterior, make sure the windows stay shut preventing dust from getting inside. Also make sure the soil around the property is not contaminated, as this can be tracked into the house by adults, children, and pets. As with any type of abatement, ensure that hazardous material is disposed of properly. Both worker protection and hazardous waste requirements are strictly enforced.

Special Cleaning Measures

After abatement and remodeling to make a property safe, it is very important to make sure the property stays clean. Surfaces should be washed regularly and kept dust free. Furnace filters should be changed frequently. In an urban area, plan for a neighborhood cleanup if soil lead levels test high. It is important to avoid tracking lead dust inside, so in some cases preventive measures like leaving shoes at the front door may be helpful. The charts on the next page summarize interim control and abatement measures:

Conclusion

Lead paint is a serious matter, both in terms of maintaining health and state and federal regulations compliance. The information provided in this two-part "Notebook" points out the hazards of lead paint in historic structures and describes several methods of treatment. However, the information is not definitive. Readers who have historic sites should gather as much material about the subject as possible, study it, and then develop a plan to take care of the problem.

Sources

The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued its Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing. The guidelines include a chapter on "Lead Hazard Control and Historic Preservation." The National Park Service has published Preservation Brief #37. Appropriate Methods for Reducing Lead-Paint Hazards in Historic Housing. It is important to note that the publications recognize that the creation of lead-safe environments for children and the protection of historically-significant properties are both important national objectives.

The Center for Safety in the Arts publishes information about safety hazards associated with lead used in art and conservation practices. Some activities, such as stained-glass making and repair, ceramics, photo development, and some printing techniques, can cause exposure to lead. Those involved with museum or site programming at a historic property should be aware of the hazards. Further information on health hazards in the conservation field, hobbies, and art-related activities, contact the Center for Safety in the Arts, Information Center of the Center for Safety in the Arts, 5 Beekman Street, Suite 820, New York, New York 10038, Telephone: 212-227-6220.

Glossary of Terms

Deteriorated Lead-Based Paint: Paint known to contain lead that shows signs of peeling, chipping, chalking, blistering, alligatoring or otherwise separating from its substrate.

Dust Removal: The process of removing dust to avoid creating a greater problem of spreading lead particles; usually through wet or damp collection or through the use of special HEPA vacuums.

Hazard Abatement: Long-term measures to remove the hazards of lead-based paint through selective pain stripping of deteriorated areas; or, in some cases, replacement of deteriorated features.

Hazard Control: Measures to reduce lead hazards to make housing safe for young children. Can be accomplished with interim (short-term) or hazard abatement (long-term) controls.

Interim Control: Short-term methods to remove lead dust, stabilize deteriorating surfaces, and repaint surfaces. Maintenance can ensure that housing remains lead-safe.

Lead-Based Paint: Any existing paint, varnish, shellac of other coating that is in excess of 1.0 mg/cm2 as measured by an XRF detector or greater than 0.5% by weight from laboratory analysis (5,000 ppm. 5,000 uglg, or 5,000 mg/kg). For new products, the Consumer Safety Act notes 0.06% as the maximum amount of lead allowed in paint.

Lead-safe: The act of making a property safe from contamination by lead-based paint, lead-dust, and lead in soil generally through short- and long-term methods to remove it, or to isolate it from small children.

Risk Assessment: An on-site investigation to determine the presence and condition of lead-based paint, including limited test samples, and an evaluation of the age, condition, housekeeping practices, and uses of a residence.

The Local History Notebook is edited and published by the Ohio Historical Society's Local History Office in order to bring useful information to people working in the local history field. The selection of subjects and authors is based on the OAHSM Editorial Board's and the Local History Office's determination of issues which are timely in nature and lasting in scope. The reprints are copyrighted 1997 by the Ohio Historical Society. Reprints are available individually or as complete sets. For further information, contact:

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