MIL-HDBK-1110
film. Lead driers were used in concentrations of a few tenths of
a percent of the mass of the dry film. The use of lead hiding
pigments decreased when titanium dioxide became available in the
1940's, but it was not until 1972 that a Federal regulation set
the maximum allowable level of lead in residential paint
transported interstate at 0.5 percent. This level was reduced to
0.06 percent for all residential paints in 1978. Thus, lead-
based paint abatement is directed primarily at housing built
prior to 1978. For steel structures, lead-containing primers
(e.g., those pigmented with red lead) have been used on military
facilities until recently to control corrosion. Yellow traffic
marking paints also may contain lead.
3.4.1.2
Effects of Lead Exposure on Health. Lead can cause a
variety of serious adverse health effects. These are detailed in
the Strategic Plan for Elimination of Childhood Lead Poisoning,
Center for Disease Control, 1991. In children, even low levels
of lead increase a child's risk of developing permanent learning
disabilities, reduced concentration and attentiveness spans, and
behavior problems. Adverse health effects may occur before the
appearance of any symptoms. Symptoms include loss of appetite,
difficulty sleeping, irritability, fatigue, headache, moodiness,
joint and muscle aches, and metallic taste in the mouth. High
levels of lead concentrations can result in severe damage to the
blood forming, nervous, urinary, and reproductive systems of the
body. Lead poisoning from leaded paint typically occurs due to
the ingestion of leaded paint or lead-contaminated dust into the
body through the digestive system or inhalation. Peeling and
chipping of leaded paint or abrasion of surfaces of leaded paint
are primary pathways for lead poisoning.
3.4.1.3
Environmental Issues. Lead containing materials are a
potential hazard to the environment when released in an
uncontrolled manner. Proper containment of painting operations
involving leaded paint and proper disposal of the debris are
required to prevent contamination of soil, water and air. Debris
generated during a maintenance painting job involving leaded
paint may contain enough lead to be classified as a hazardous
waste. If so, storage, transportation, treatment, and disposal
of waste is governed by Federal regulations and applicable local
and State regulations.
3.4.1.4
Occupational Safety Issues. Workers involved in
leaded-paint removal are at risk for lead poisoning. Poisoning
can result when the leaded paint is disturbed in a way that
creates uncontrolled dust or small particles such as in sanding,
open-abrasive blasting, chipping, grinding, and burning. The
lead dust makes its way into an individual in many ways,
including eating dust-contaminated food, hand-to-mouth activity,
smoking cigarettes, and breathing dust-contaminated air. This
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