How to Remove Lead Paint With Dust Control

Prepare the area where lead-based paint is to be removed by blocking it off with plastic sheeting. Place plastic sheeting over all doorways and windows to prevent the contaminated dust from reaching any other areas. Place plastic dropcloths on the floor, extending at least 6 feet from the area to be treated. Tape off anything protruding that the dust could settle on, including doorknobs and windowsills.

Scrape or sand off the area as needed while wearing a protective filtered breathing mask and coveralls. Make sure the paint dust falls onto the disposable dropcloths and is not tracked into other areas on your shoes or clothing. If you use a power sander, it should be one that has an EPA-approved HEPA filtered dust bag attached.

Wipe all of the dust from walls, floors and horizontal surfaces with a clean, damp cloth. Put all the tape used for protecting surfaces and securing plastic coverings onto a dropcloth. Dust yourself and your clothes off onto the dropcloth. Wipe your shoes, including the soles, with clean, damp cloths.

Vacuum the entire area with a HEPA-filtered shop vacuum. Dust any protruding areas with a clean, damp cloth. Wipe a clean, damp cloth over all surfaces, looking for dust. Continue to dust and vacuum as needed until all the lead dust is gone.

Empty the dust from the shop vac carefully into a heavy-duty plastic construction cleanup bag. Fold the contaminated dropcloths up, keeping the dust and damp cloths contained within. Tape the dropcloths closed tightly with masking tape and place them in a trash bag.

Dispose of trash bags as required by local, state and federal regulations.