Health and Safety

The use of white lead in paint was banned in 1979, but some special-purpose paints still contain red lead – these should be clearly labelled.

The greatest risk occurs from older buildings that may still have a lead-based paint coating as they may have been repainted without previous layers of paint being removed.

Lead poisoning

Lead poisoning occurs when paint residue containing lead is swallowed or fumes are inhaled, for example when old lead paint is burnt off timber weatherboards. The effect of lead is cumulative – it builds up in the body, and if left untreated, can lead to brain damage and death. Symptoms of lead poisoning may include tiredness, poor sleeping patterns, moodiness, lack of appetite and stomach pains.

Lead absorption is a notifiable disease, with 575 notifications of occupational lead absorption in the period 2014–2022. Painters have consistently been the most commonly-notified occupational group.

Lead-based paint removal

The removal of lead-based paint can result in harm to both the person removing the paint and people in the vicinity. Young children are particularly at risk from lead poisoning.

It is not possible to identify lead-based paint by its appearance. If a building is over 40 years old, assume that it has been painted with lead-based paint.

Inhalation of dust and fumes is the principal way lead enters the body, so paint debris must be prevented from becoming airborne during removal and clean-up.

Power sanding and dry abrasive blasting can generate a significant dust hazard and are not recommended unless carried out by a trained professional with rigorous safety protocols in place. If power sanding is undertaken, appropriate filters and/or dust collection systems should be fitted to the equipment and PPE worn by the operator.

Water blasting is not recommended due to the risk of dispersal of lead-containing particles. Likewise using a blow torch or open flame is not recommended due to the potential for generation of toxic fumes.

Recommended methods for lead-based paint removal are wet sanding to reduce dust or using a hand scraper with a tungsten blade to remove larger sized paint flakes that are easier to collect and dispose of safely.

Take the following precautions when removing lead-based paint:

• Keep children and pets away from the work area
• Wear a dust mask at all times
• Use drop sheets when removing paint to collect both dry and wet dust
• If sanding by hand, dip the sandpaper, block or sponge in water before use or spray the surface with water before starting work
• Collect dust and debris as work proceeds and bag or contain in a suitable closed container (e.g. in strong plastic bags). Do not use a domestic vacuum cleaner to clean up debris.
• Dispose of in a place approved by the local authority.

If you wish to test whether a sample of paint includes lead, there are several options. Some paint stores sell a simple test kit that you can use with a chip of paint and some will even do a test for you, or can arrange one. There are also accredited laboratories that offer testing services for lead in chips of paint.

Paint is not the only source of lead in houses. In 2021, Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers tested five taps bought online and found three of the taps contained lead above the allowable limit. One was 11 times over the limit.

MBIE amended Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 in November 2023 to limit the maximum allowable content of lead permitted in plumbing products. This applies to products containing copper alloys, in contact with potable water for human consumption. This part of the revised Acceptable Solution has an extended transition period.

Updated: 31 October 2024