Lead – in lots of places
Asbestos – in lots of places
Electrical Safety
Glass Safety
Window treatment cord Safety
Radon
And more — I am not the Expert — Consult with a Professional!
Renovating and remodeling our mid century homes can be fun galore, but PLEASE ALWAYS REMEMBER, there are many known hazards in surfaces and materials that you need to take personal responsibility to become knowledgeable about, so that you can make informed decisions about how to handle. I sometimes feel like I am a naggy broken record bringing this up all the time, but here goes again:
We all care very much about managing environmental and safety issues properly, so when undertaking your restoration project, be sure to familiarize yourself with and use recommended best practices. For example, the EPA hosts a website on lead in the home and a website on asbestos in the home. Consult professionals regarding these materials, and also about the proper disposal of debris, etc.
Another resource regarding potential lead hazards in the home, which I recently learned about via Facebook, and which I’d like to share out:
- LeadFreeKids.org — a joint effort of the Ad Council, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning. That’s their video at the top.
Also, here’s an article that came to my attention about potential lead hazards in ceramic tile:
- Ceramic Tile Institute Of America Field Report 2000-11-20 –Subject: Ceramic Tile Lead Hazards and Miscellaneous Other Lead Risks in Residential Remodeling and Construction, by Judson Bryant
Other potential issues — and do not consider this a comprehensive list as I am not an expert in the area of environmental and safety hazards in the home — include: Tempered glass in windows and shower doors… wiring and fire safety in the house as well as lighting and appliances… drapery cords… lead and asbestos in all kinds of locations…radon…. Gosh, I don’t want to be a nervous nellie or debbie downer but You are an Adult Now. You must take responsibility and become informed about all these issues, and more. CONSULT WITH PROFESSIONALS AND EXPERTS, don’t be penny wise and pound foolish when it comes to your and your family’s safety and health. Thank you.
Kelly M says
Thanks for bringing this up. I’m a designer in a design/build firm and there are some strict guidelines that professional contractors must abide by (and no, we don’t make these things up! *smile*)
In April of 2010, the EPA passed a lead-safe work practices. It’s a federal law that in order for firms to work on homes that are older than 1978, they *must* be lead-safe certified by the EPA. Any contractor or firm you’re interviewing must provide you with a “Renovate Right” pamphlet prior to commencing any work.
If you’re renovating, repairing or painting a home before 1978, please have a look at the EPA website. Be safe!
The link for the pamphlet is here: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovaterightbrochure.pdf
The link for the law and safety facts is here: http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/pubs/toolkits.htm
pam kueber says
Thanks, Kelly! I did a post about the new government requirements a ways back. Good to reiterate.
Meredith says
Does anyone know where you can find information about old appliances? I have a sunbeam t-20 B toaster that I want to rewire. I know sunbeam reportedly used asbestos in some of their toasters. I asked sunbeam..they said they do not keep those records. I asked the consumer safety protection division and they said they do no keep records of products before 1972. It seems to me it would be pretty easy to identify older products that are unsafe. I figure sunbeam was reluctant to say anything because they remain liable for all their products (products liability never goes away). However given the number of people still using all this stuff, I think we should have access to that information, and companies should be required to provide that information on demand.
pam kueber says
Meredith, on issues like these I advise: Consult an expert. Get the toaster professionally rewired.
Kimberlee Greene says
Regarding old Sunbeam toasters……
I have one that I use daily for my family and had no idea about asbestos in them! Is it in the wiring or a danger to what Im toasting?
Thanks for any info:)
pam kueber says
Kimberlee, I do not know… This is why I point folks to Professionals. Note, I have heard before about asbestos in insulation of vintage stoves and recessed lighting, for example. Not sure about wiring….
KM says
And let’s all remember to be careful with our power tools!
brneyedgrl80 says
Oh, not to the flood the board (maybe this comment can be combined with my previous one) but here is the state of Arizona’s information on asbestos/asbestos removal in case there are any fellow Arizonans out there who peruse this site and could use this info.
http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/asbestos/
brneyedgrl80 says
I’m lucky in where my husband does this type of work for a living, so I trust that he will not put us or the kitties in harms way.
Beyond the electrical panel, house wiring and our kitchen floor tile our house is in pretty good vintage shape. We do still need to get rid of about half or our windows as they are the original single pane and that just doesn’t work in Phoenix. 😉
Ann V says
Can I drop off link?
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/asbestos/floortile/index.html
It’s from the Minnesota Department of Health and obviously state laws vary, but I found it helpful.
I removed asbestos flooring during a kitchen remodel. My mom is a professional (an industrial hygienist) and she supplied me with all the protective equipment and instructions. One argument for hiring a professional is that when you do this job right, it’s the most difficult, miserable thing you could ever do. It’s very hard work in very restrictive gear. I ended up getting sick with shingles!
Just another Pam says
It would be best to practice due diligence and make sure they are real experts and have not just added that experience to their list of questionable credentials.
As I’ve renoed my house we’ve learned the lady who owned my house before was taken by so many “experts” I’ve began to speculate that contractors have a secret way of making your house so other criminal contractors know you are a mark rather like the hobo’s used to mark a house saying a kind woman lives here. It was years after the depression that my grandmother found ‘the mark’.
pam kueber says
Yup — finding good contractors and pro’s is probably the toughest – and most critical – issue we all must solve for. Even harder than raising the cash, maybe!
Kimberlee Greene says
Yes, PLEASE be so careful! I lost my grandfather in March from Mesothelioma. He could have lived at least another 20 years had he not had this terrible disease. It is a fast yet painful death. He worked on house for years, not knowing the dangers. And yet asbestos is STILL not outlawed in the United States!!!! Why???????
So please let a professional handle this part of your home restorations!!
Thanks for doing an article to get the word out!!!
~Kimberlee Greene
brneyedgrl80 says
I know we have original asbestos kitchen floor tiles, [… pam has edited out specific advice on how to handle…please consult with professionals!….]
It’s weird how certain things we grew up with (drapery cords) are now a hazard. Our newer vertical blinds have a chain that dangles low, is that any less safe than a cord?
I suppose these are the times that I am extremely grateful for not having young children in the house. lol I’m fairly certain that if I had kids I would have to re-do my entire home to make it “safe”.
pam kueber says
Thanks for your comment brneyedgrl, but again, I have edited out specific advice — I want to point people to PROFESSIONALS.
daniel says
this is some serious shit y’all (can i say that here?)— my grandfather fought a fire on a ship that involved absestos coming loose and getting in the air when he was in the merchant marines, and it killed him— he got mesothelioma. this stuff is worse than cigarettes, fast food, mercury in tuna, etc. you can be exposed to this stuff just a few times and it will develop into cancer and kill you. mid-century design is amazing, but the companies that were producing lead paint and asbestos were to the point of evil— they knew that this stuff caused cancer back into the 1920s and before and they didn’t tell anyone or make different products or anything, and now you have some of the most beautiful homes filled with this poison. [… pam has edited comment on asbestos in home – consult with PROS, folks! …] but it’s still not safe for that potential alone.
please be safe, everyone.
pam kueber says
Thank you for your comment, Daniel. I’m so sorry to hear about your grandfather. That said: Readers, when considering how to handle potential asbestos in your home – do NOT rely on anecdotal advice on the internet: CONSULT WITH A PROFESSIONAL. Daniel, I have edited your comment accordingly.