05-07-2013, 02:40 PM
cbelt3 wrote:
Cary-
Good point. Fortunately I know for absolute certain there was no lead. You see, I had the original paint cans that my inlaws used to paint the house when they built it in 1962. I checked with Benjamin Moore. No lead.
Ed: Besides, I always wear a mask when sanding inside (or outside without a stiff breeze). I'm an asthmatic.... particles make me choke and wheeze.
Having worked in lead mitigation, I find it highly doubtful that exterior trim paint and primer applied in 1962 is lead-free, no matter what Benjamin Moore says. Test it with one of those cheap lead swabs from the hardware store before sanding.
Wearing a mask is missing the point completely. Lead poisoning affects primarily children who ingest the sanding dust that gets into the soil, carpet and dust carried by the HVAC system. Your exposure during painting is short-term and unlikely to be harmful, even without a mask. It's the dust that gets scattered on the ground that is the problem. I urge you to test the paint before touching that sandpaper. Lead is very persistent, so even if there are no children exposed now there will be long after you are gone from the house.
Also, as noted by M>B>, Fein, Bosch and Festool make the best multitools.