Lead in the environment

Lead Paint Hazards and Safe Removal

Paint from the 1970s and earlier often contains high levels of lead, which is toxic. Only specialists should remove it, as scraping, peeling, or burning can spread contamination to the surrounding area.

Many gates and railings have multiple layers of highly toxic lead paint. If scraped away, it can contaminate the ground and release toxic lead levels into the air, posing inhalation risks. This issue is particularly concerning in the UK, where some councils use community service workers to remove old paint from railings, exposing them to toxic lead levels and contaminating the ground. Lead can be absorbed by trees and plants, resulting in long-term retention in the area. Children are especially vulnerable to these hazards.

The safest method to manage lead paint is to cover it with a specialist sealant paint. Using ordinary paint is dangerous because its solvents can cause lead from old paint to leach to the surface.