Lead paint and asbestos in a restorer's diet

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

>   From: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org 
>   To: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org 
>   Sent: Sunday, May 01, 2005 8:03 PM
>   Subject: Re: Signal restoration tips

>   I used a sand blaster to peel the paint off of my
> signal.  Fortunately I have a friend who had one.  I
> just had to supply the sand.  Did a slick job but
> you need to prime it right away or the bare metal
> will start to rust just from the moisture in the
> air.
> 
>   Jim Mihalek
>   Lakeville, MN

To: "NW Mailing List" <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> 
Date: Mon, 2 May 2005 12:02:42 -0400 
From: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org  View Contact Details  
Subject:  Re: Signal restoration tips 

    
A word or caution in case folks are not aware of the
hazard:
 
some of the older paint probably contains lead.  When
you are sandblasting or grinding it, be careful not to
breathe the dust, and don't ingest it.  Wash your
hands before eating after such work, and try to
contain the dust in plastic garbage bags or such.
 
If anyone has more reassuring information, please
share it.  
 
Ed Sproles


May 4, 2005

Good safety suggestion, Ed.  I know that most bridges
--and I assume signals, too-- were primed with "red
lead" paint.

It's remarkable to me that anyone lived through the
20th Century.  I'll be doing hot and cold water line
plumbing work at Boyce station later this year.  The
hot water heating pipes to radiators have asbestos
insulation.  I'll leave that in place but still have
to wear breathing protection while doing running new
lines alongside them.  This is only a small challenge
when compared with those facing locomotive
restoration.

Thanks,



Dr. Frank R. Scheer, Curator
Railway Mail Service Library, Inc.
f_scheer at yahoo.com
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(540) 837-9090 - weekend afternoons 
in the former N&W station on VA rte 723 
117 East Main Street 
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