About a month ago, I purchased a vintage fire horn from a flea market, and as I was looking at the chipped paint on the horn–and thinking about some of my other devices as well–I was wondering if there would be any health concerns with being exposed to lead-based paints. I’m talking more about actually having a fire alarm collection and handling the devices on a regular basis (when they’re not on static display) instead of just seeing old devices out in a public/private setting. I always wash my hands after handling such old devices as a safety precaution. I have had thoughts about removing all the old paint and applying new coats in the future.
As long as you don’t eat it, you’ll be find. The largest concern with lead paint is ingestion (usually by young children) with exposure from handling being a lesser issue.
And that’s just with eating the chips of paint. Just from him touching them, your exposed to more lead than that in a normal day! I would still recommend him washing his hand after handling them though.
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If your thinking of sanding off the paint for some reason, wear a respirator. Breathing in lead paint dust just as dangerous.
Absolutely. A general rule of thumb is that, unless the contaminates are disturbed, they are not a major concern. In the case of lead paint, as long it remains in place, the lead stays within the paint. When it flakes off or is disturbed by damaging the paint, you run a risk of exposure.
The same rule applies to asbestos, PCBs, certain molds, etc. Asbestos insulation is relatively safe, as the particles are locked within the material. The danger occurs when the insulation is disturbed, either by damage or during removal, allowing the fibers to become airborne. This presents an inhalation hazard. However, if you don’t mess with it, you shouldn’t have a problem.