Lead Paint Removal

[Lou573]

I’m hoping someone can help me get a handle on the risk here, as obviously google is telling me either we’re all about to die, or not to worry as a generation grew up sucking on lead toys.

I needed to pull up the carpet on a short section of staircase (3 steps) after the cat had repeatedly weed on it. Didn’t want to recarpet as thought he would carry on, so thought I’d paint the risers and sand and finish the treads

The outside of the treads were painted so, being a 1920s house, possibly lead paint. I got some paint stripping gel, donned a mask and scraped away when the kids were out the house. Scrubbed the remnants with wire wool and ended up with what looked like bare wood.

Last weekend I sanded the treads, again when the kids were out. Well ventilated and wiped everything down after. But I’m still worrying about it! What if there were specks of lead paint left on that were too small to see? Does this happen? Or would it be a negligible amount in any case?

I just can’t seem to get a handle on what the risk level is here and I am prone to leaping to the worst scenario, so if anyone has any words of advice I’d be grateful!

Assuming it even is lead paint - you could put your mind at rest with a cheap paint chip test.

Lead paint is dangerous when ingested. Wipe it down, paint/varnish over it as you have and job done until next time the seal is broken. Hoover up, empty the hoover.

Nitromors or similar is perfect, so that the potential lead stays in the gunk. You've done a good job. There's less risk now than there was before.

Thanks, I’ve ordered a test so fingers crossed this is all a moot point. I’m just worried that I didn’t manage to get it all up with the scraper and gel, so when I sanded I ended up with lead particles in the house.