Lovely Lorena Strips the Doorways

Talk about a Full Metal Jacket! The doorways of the house are cloaked in layers of lead paint. Today, Lorena's decked out in riot gear with sci-fi mask and all, attacking the toxic cracks an crumbling bits. The picture on the left is the balcony doorway she finished last week during the historic paints and faux finishes workshop. On the right, you can see her working on the front door (today). The wood beneath the deadly veils of lead is beautiful. By the end of the day, all will be revealed!

Some things we've learned about lead (mostly gleaned from Michael Black during the first Historic Paints and Faux Finishes Workshop):

• There are two means of ingesting lead: breathing it in, and allowing it to be absorbed into the bloodstream.

• It's the lead you can't see that is hazardous. In its particulate and vapor forms (it can be vaporized with a heat gun), it seeps into the membranes of your lungs. ** Do not allow it to become airborne!**

• While it is obviously best to prevent contact with lead if at all possible, while working on a historic home, that can be a little tricky. If you think you've been exposed to lead, get tested!

• While this is not really an effective preventative measure, we have heard that as a disaster management tactic, the consumption of food containing dark chlorophil (for example, wheat grass, kale, or molasses) is mildly beneficial.

  • For more information on lead:

The National Lead Information Center (NLIC) provides the general public and professionals with information about lead hazards and their prevention. NLIC operates under a contract with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with funding from EPA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Contact the National Lead Information Center to receive a general information packet, to order other documents, or for detailed information or questions.