Maintenance after Hazard Control Treatment

Following treatment, particularly where interim controls have been used, ongoing maintenance and re-evaluation become critical. In urban areas, even fully lead-safe houses can be re-contaminated within a year from lead or dirt outside the immediate property. Thus, housing interiors must be kept clean, once lead hazard control measures have been implemented. Dust levels should be kept down by wet sweeping porch steps and entrances on a regular basis. Vacuum cleaning and dusting should be repeated inside on a weekly basis or even more often. Vinyl, tile, and wood floor surfaces should be similarly damp mopped. Damp washing of window troughs and sills to remove new dust should be encouraged several times a year, particularly in the spring and fall when windows will be open. Carpets and area rugs should be steam cleaned or washed periodically if they appear to hold outside dirt.

Housing should be inspected frequently for signs of deterioration by both owner and occupant. Tenants need to be made aware of the location of lead-based paint under lead-free top coats and instructed to contact the owners or property managers when the paint film becomes disturbed. Any leaks, peeling paint, or evidence of conditions that may generate lead-dust should be identified and corrected immediately. Occupants must be notified prior to any major dust-producing project. Dry sanding, burning, compressed air cleaning or blasting should be not be used. Repairs, repainting, or remodeling activities that have the potential of raising significant amounts of lead dust should be undertaken in ways that isolate the area, reduce lead-laden dust as much as possible, and protect the occupants.

Yearly dust wipe tests are recommended to ensure that dust levels remain below actionable levels. Houses or dwelling units that fail the dust-wipe test should be thoroughly re-cleaned with TSP, or its equivalent, washed down, wet vacuumed and followed by HEPA vacuuming, if necessary, until a clearance dust wipe test shows the area to be under actionable levels (see Action Levels chart). Spaces that are thoroughly cleaned and maintained in good condition are not a health risk.

Conclusion

The three-step planning process outlined in this Brief provides owners and managers of historic housing with responsible methods for protecting historic paint layers and architectural elements, such as windows, trimwork, and decorative finishes. Exposed decorative finishes, such as painted murals or grained doors can be stabilized by a paint conservator with a glazed or varnished layer without destroying their significance.

Reducing and controlling lead hazards can be successfully accomplished without destroying the character-defining features and finishes of historic buildings. Federal and state laws generally support the reasonable control of lead-based paint hazards through a variety of treatments, ranging from modified maintenance to selective substrate removal. The key to protecting children, workers, and the environment is to be informed about the hazards of lead, to control exposure to lead dust and lead in soil, and to follow existing regulations. In all cases, methods that control lead hazards should be selected that minimize the impact to historic resources while ensuring that housing is lead-safe for children.