How to Dispose of Wood With Leaded Paint

Lead-contaminated items, such as toys, tools and paint, pose a serious threat to children and adults. If ingested through the nose or mouth, lead's toxicity often causes developmental problems and learning impairments, especially in children and babies. Most homes built before 1960, and some homes built later, contain lead-painted wood. Paint chips may flake off the wood, coating a home with toxic lead dust. When removing lead-painted wood, proper disposal is necessary to avoid releasing lead into the environment.

Plastic wrap or trash bags
Shovel
Vacuum with HEPA filter

Instructions

- 1
  Wrap the painted wood tightly in plastic to avoid spreading lead particles. Paint chips may fall off unwrapped wood, contaminating your home, work site or the environment. Vacuum up small particles and lead dust with a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter. Place the vacuumed material into closed plastic bags.
- 2
  Dispose of lead-painted wood at a solid waste landfill or similar facility. Some facilities may charge a handling fee.
- 3
  Place the lead-painted wood into your household trash, if your city allows you to do so. Some cities ask that you cut the wood into small pieces before throwing it away. Give the wood to your city's waste department when they arrive to collect the trash.
- 4
  Dig a deep trench on your property and bury the wrapped wood in the ground. Do not bury unwrapped wood in the ground as the lead will leach into and contaminate the soil.

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