[Felicity]

Originally Posted by MochetVelo

I often see painters sanding old houses without even a dust mask, and that's not wise. On the other hand, I once sold a collection of shiny lead/tin organ pipes, and the buyer put on rubber gloves to handle them. Most pre-1978 paints contain lead, and you should keep the dust away from children, especially. Here's an interesting article on the subject: Lead Dangers, Myths and Realities on the Natural Handyman home repair and do it yourself website

Speaking of dangerous substances, I wonder how Stanley steamer mechanics fared with all that asbestos!

Phil

Thanks for the link. Making me lean back towards being way careful. Nothing is ever simple!

[Dynaflash8]

Lead paint is dangerous if you eat it, that's for sure!

[Dave@Moon]

I am a former hazardous waste inspector for the state of PA, and I'm even more averse to giving legal advice than Matt is on this subject. Like almost anything else in life, doing this is at your own risk.

Matt's advice for using paper towels would seem to be the best bet for removing this material. The only thing I'd change is to mist the water onto the dusty area using a spray bottle to minimize possible wash-out or blowing of the dust. In fact I would recommend doing exactly this every single day when you're finished sanding, and doing the same thing to your shoes before leaving the room/garage/driveway/etc. where this is being done. Most likely you're doing this in some form of coveralls that can be left behind, but if not your clothing should be changed before you enter your house or car. In either case I'd launder the clothing/coveralls + clothing carefully, separately, and immediately.

One more caveat; it sounds like this may be something bigger than a home restoration project. If this is a commercial activity, or a professional service in any sense (part of a body shop operation, trade school project, commercial display creation, etc.), then legally this material should be collected and disposed according to EPA RCRA (hazardous waste) rules and regulations, or the state rules and regs if EPA has granted primacy to the state environmental agency where you are (as it has for almost all states). (Again, without giving any legal advice), you or the organization could be at serious risk if this is not an amateur restoration of something you own personally and this (waste dust and cleanup) material is not being manifested off-site in a legal manner.

[Dave@Moon]

Originally Posted by Dynaflash8

Lead paint is dangerous if you eat it, that's for sure!

The problem with lead dust is you're eating it as well whenever you're exposed, whether you want to or not. Paint chips you can walk away from, what sticks to the back of your throat only has one place to go.

[Felicity]

Well, the Ol' Guys (I know they are going to get me for that) are part of a car club. Which is how I found this website, btw. So technically I guess they are volunteers? I am new to this so I have no idea if car clubs have internal guidelines, or if they are bound by the same laws as money making businesses. Does the AACA have any info I can print out and hand to the guys?

[Dave@Moon]

Originally Posted by Felicity

I am new to this so I have no idea if car clubs have internal guidelines, or if they are bound by the same laws as money making businesses.

Once again, do not consider this legal advice in any sense....

Having a bunch of friends help you with your car, or helping them with there's, is not a commercial or industrial enterprise. When I was enforcing these regs (15 years ago in PA) that'd still be considered household waste. That doesn't mean it can be handled indiscriminately, or without liability, but the functional procedures in the regulations for hazardous waste would not apply.

[Rusty_OToole]

I worked in garages and body shops for 20 years then had to get out of that line of work due to lung damage.

My lungs were down to about 65% of normal capacity. Since then I have quit smoking and adopted a healthier way of life, and have regained quite a bit of breathing ability. But will never be 100%.

In those days (50s thru 70s) we didn't worry about health hazards. Thinking back I remember a lot of old time mechanics had severe breathing problems, emphysema, and other health problems and usually died young.

Yet, there are always exceptions. Bill Hines, I believe kept working in his body shop every day, complete with his ever present cigar, until he was near 90. For all I know he is still working.

Even so I advise anyone to be extremely careful and don't risk your health. You don't know how much you miss it until it's gone.