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Read These Instructions.
WARNING: Extreme care
should be taken when stripping
paint. The peelings, residue and
vapors of paint may contain
lead, which is poisonous. Any
pre-1977 paint may contain
lead and paint applied to homes
prior to 1950 is likely to contain
lead. Once deposited on
surfaces, hand to mouth contact
can result in the ingestion of
lead. Exposure to even low
levels of lead can cause
irreversible brain and nervous
system damage; young and
unborn children are particularly
vulnerable.
Before beginning any paint
removal process you should
determine whether the paint
you are removing contains lead.
This can be done by your local
health department or by a
professional who uses a paint
analyzer to check the lead
content of the paint to be
removed. LEAD BASED PAINT
SHOULD ONLY BE
REMOVED BY A
PROFESSIONAL AND
SHOULD NOT BE REMOVED
USING A HEAT GUN.
Hidden areas such as behind
walls, ceilings, floors, soffit
boards and other panels may
contain flammable materials
that could be ignited by the heat
gun when working in these
locations. The ignition of these
materials may not be readily
apparent and could result in
property damage and injury to
persons.
When working in these
locations, keep the heat gun
moving in a back-and-forth
motion. Lingering or pausing in
one spot could ignite the panel
or the material behind it.
Persons removing paint should
follow these guidelines:
1. Move the work piece
outdoors. If this is not
possible, keep the work area
well ventilated. Open the
windows and put an exhaust
fan in one of them. Be sure
the fan is moving the air from
inside to outside.
2. Remove or cover any
carpets, rugs, furniture,
clothing, cooking utensils and
air ducts.
3. Place drop cloths in the work
area to catch any paint chips
or peelings. Wear protective
clothing such as extra work
shirts, overalls and hats.
4. Work in one room at a time.
Furnishings should be
removed or placed in the
center of the room and
covered. Work areas should
be sealed off from the rest of
the dwelling by sealing
doorways with drop cloths.
5. Children, pregnant or
potentially pregnant women
and nursing mothers should
not be present in the work
area until the work is done
and all clean up is complete.
6. Wear a dust respirator mask
or a dual filter (dust and
fume) respirator mask which
has been approved by the
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
(OSHA), the National
Institute of Safety and Health
(NIOSH), or the United
States Bureau of Mines.
These masks and
replaceable filters are readily
available at major hardware
stores. Be sure the mask fits.
Beards and facial hair may
keep masks from sealing
properly. PAPER MASKS
ARE NOT ADEQUATE.
7. Use caution when operating
the heat gun. Keep the heat
gun moving, as excessive
heat will generate fumes
which can be inhaled by the
operator.
8. Keep food and drink out of
the work area. Wash hands,
arms and face and rinse
mouth before eating or
drinking. Do not smoke or
chew gum or tobacco in the
work area.
9. Clean up all removed paint
and dust by wet mopping the
floors. Use a wet cloth to
clean all walls, sills and any
other surface where paint or
dust is clinging. DO NOT
SWEEP, DRY DUST OR
VACUUM. Use a high
phosphate detergent or
trisodium phosphate (TSP) to
wash and mop areas.
10. At the end of each work
session put the paint chips
and debris in a double
plastic bag, close it with
tape or twist ties and
dispose of properly.
11. Remove protective clothing
and work shoes in the work
area to avoid carrying dust
into the rest of the dwelling.
Wash work clothes
separately. Wipe shoes off
with a wet rag that is then
washed with the work
3
Important Safety Instructions