I recently saw a picture of a mirror framed by antique tin tiles. At Christmas I was able to get tin tiles out of my Fathers childhood run down one room school house. When I brought them home I realized they are covered in lead paint.
Is there any safe way to remove this stuff? Or should I just take them to the hazardous waste dump?
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go for it - lead is only poisonous when inhaled or absorbed through the skin over a period of time - a small project done with reasonable care should be OK. This is just my opinion, I am not qualified in any way, but if it was me, I would go for it !
I think I will wait until Spring. I am (eventually when a get a minute) going to call CMHC, hopefully someone there can help. I had NO idea how complicated this was going to be, but I would love to have a piece of history over my fireplace...
Maybe you could wait for warmer weather and work on them outside. Good advice from DBD. Call around and see if somebody knows. It would be a shame if you couldn't use them.
I may live dangerously, but I'd give it a shot with some care. I think the big concern with lead paint is when it is broken down into breathable particles (especially with small kids). Since it's not like you are doing a whole house, if it's just you around, I bet using a wet stripper and making sure all the old paint and stripper drop onto heavy plastic (maybe an old shower curtain?) which could all be sealed and disposed of would be okay.
there is probably some info on the web somewhere or maybe if you find a knowledgable person in a paint store or refinishing shop they could tell you. Might even be having the tiles dipped is safe and cost effective.
I found the following article on line regarding the removal of lead paint during a renovation. Read through it and then you can decide whether it is worth keeping the tin tiles.......
[B]Safety rules for removing lead-based paint [/B]
Protect Your Family:
Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant should try to avoid exposure to lead. If your home is going to be significantly contaminated with lead dust during renovations, you should consider moving pre-school children and pregnant women elsewhere until the work is done.
Protect Yourself:
Wear appropriate protective clothing such as coveralls, goggles, gloves, and most importantly, a NIOSH (U.S. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) approved respirator for dust, mist, and fumes to reduce the possible intake of lead dust. Consult your local safety equipment dealer. Don't eat, drink, or smoke in an area where paint is being removed.
Prepare the Area:
Remove drapes, rugs, and furniture from the area. Cover the objects that can't be moved, including the floor, with heavy plastic. Seal heating vents used for both supply and return. Protect the entrance to the working area with plastic to contain dust. Use a water spray with a small amount of detergent to wet all surfaces and to contain any dust during renovations or cleanup. If working outdoors, use drop sheets to catch any paint scrapings, and don't work on windy days.
Make sure children and pets are not in the area. Cover windows and doors with plastic to keep scrapings and dust out of the house.
Use Safe Stripping Techniques:
Use techniques that don't disperse lead dust or fumes. Chemical stripping produces the least amount of lead dust. As chemical stripping agents also contain potentially harmful substances, they must be used with care. Mechanical removal through sanding or grinding produces more lead dust.
Don't Spread the Dust Around:
Remove protective clothing and footwear whenever you leave the work area. Wash work clothes separately from other laundry, or discard them when you're finished.
Do a Daily Cleanup:
At the end of each day, wetting the dust and wet-wiping will help cleanup and prevent the dispersion of dust. Put all waste in a secure container or sealed plastic bag. Wash your hands and face once your work is done and before entering a clean area.
Do a Final Cleanup:
Wait at least one day after completing work to let any dust settle, then do a final cleanup. Wet wipe all surfaces, and dispose of any plastic enclosures to avoid generating dust. Place in a sealed plastic bag.
For more information on lead-based paint, visit Health Canada's Web site.