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Background The following is a quote form the OSH pamphlet on lead in paints... RePAINTING· The removal of lead-based paint can result in harm to both the person doing the job and the people who live or work nearby. · Untreated lead poisoning can lead to brain damage or even death. The Dangers of Lead-based Paint You may get lead poisoning if you do not take care when you remove lead-based paint from the inside or outside of a building. Children, especially pre-schoolers, are particularly at risk from lead poisoning because they may swallow bits of paint that contain lead or soil that has been contaminated. Children chewing on painted cots or toys are also at risk if lead based paint has been used. Until 1965, many paints on the New Zealand market had high lead levels. This was particularly true of pre 1945 paints. Even if a building has been recently painted, it may have been painted with lead-based paints or have layers of old paint covered by modem paint. Today only special purpose paints contain lead and these are clearly labelled. It's not possible to tell lead-based paints by their appearance, but there is a simple test that can detect whether the paint is a health risk. If a building is over 40 years old it is best to presume that it has been painted with lead-based paint. Contact the Health Protection Officer in your local District Health Board if you are unsure. |
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Lead Paint Test Kits |
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Bill IrvineLtd 25 Whyte Street, Claudelands Hamilton, New Zealand |
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To contact us: |
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Phone: 07 8555573 Fax: 07 8555497 Email: bill.irvine@clear.net.nz |
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We manufacture lead paint test kits so a painter can find out if a paint surface has lead content. If so then special precautions need to be taken to prepare the paint surface for repainting. A sample of paint is obtained by making a slanted cut across the paint surface so each layer of paint is exposed. A drop of 5% sodium sulphide solution is applied. If there is lead in the paint layer, it will turn black. The sample should be viewed through a magnifying glass to ensure a correct result. Sodium sulphide is a standard test for the presence of lead in paint samples. Important notice! If you are a paint shop or a professional painter there is a greater risk that the solution will become contaminated by… · Contamination of the solution through coming into contact with paint samples · Storage in a hot place like a vehicle While we are confident that the solution is stable in storage, for several years, we recommend that kits used frequently be replaced one year after opening. The solution should be clear and should smell of sulphur. The kits are available from most paint shops in New Zealand. |
