Lead paint exposure

[Krisskrosskiss]

Please help I'm not sure how much to worry about this!
We just bought our first home and it was built in 1900. I have never really done any DIY before so wasnt aware about the risks of lead paint. I stupidly stripped and sanded a large part of an old window frame. I've now stopped. The room was very well ventilated but I hadn't emptied it of belongings.. I just wiped them down and hoovered afterwards. I've got two children aged 1 and 4 and now I'm really worried I've poisoned them! They weren't in the room whilst I was standing but my 1yo was in an adjacent room with the connection ring door open! And my son was in the room whilst I was cleaning up the mess!

What should I do? How worried should I be and what should I do about the half sanded window? It's in the living room where my kids go in all the time... should I just paint overnight immediately to stop it flaking further?
I'm not sure how seriously tk take the risk? Should I be taking my kids to the doctors?

[Backwoodsgirl]

I don’t think it’s a big deal, it’s a one time exposure and in all likelihood a low risk.

[Krisskrosskiss]

Google is telling me it is a big deal because the children could easily have eaten some paint flakes? I cant believe I was so stupid... i dont know whether to ring 111? Or is that ridiculous?
I didnt think about it at all they have both been in the room when there were large quantities of dust whilst I was clearing up.

[EBearhug]

There might be nothing to worry about - it's probably been decorated since 1910.

I assume you're keeping them out of the room while you're sanding, because even if it's lead-free, I wouldn't want them breathing all the dust in. Make sure you clean up thoroughly when you finish for the day, and shower yourself.

I wouldn't panic otherwise, nor rush the job, nor rush them to the doctor, unless they've been licking the windowsill.

[creamofcarnation]

You're being silly, calm down

[user1473878824]

Honestly, do YOU think your children ate any paint flakes? Google might have said that but you’re there with them and know them! I think you are catastophising - if you’re REALLY worried call the GP tomorrow but I would really sit down, take a breath and have a very large glass of wine and not worry.

[Krisskrosskiss]

I've done that now.
I do still feel awful for being so stupid and not protecting everything properly, and I cant stop thinking about all the little flakes of paint that might be over the house! When you Google it it makes you think you are all going to die in the next ten mins...
I think my kids are probably fine. They seem fine. It's just the guilt now if they ever have any problems in the future in going to think its because i poisoned them by geing stupid...

I dont know what to do about the rest of the job though... im not sure i know how to continue safely? I think I'm just going to find a professional decorator who knows what they are doing to do it.

[EBearhug]

Make sure you're wearing a mask, keep them out of the room and carry on with the job. (Perhaps not right now. I would be unimpressed with a neighbour doing sanding at midnight.)

[Kalanthe]

Hello! I’ve just came across your post. I’m in exact same situation now, started sanding old paint only to realise that the house is old and the paint can be toxic. I started googling and now I’m really worried about lead dust poisoning. I have a one year old, whom I kept in a different room, but still there could’ve been some exposure as I produced quite a lot of dust. Were your children okay? How did this end up for you? Thank you 🙏