Brooklyn is full of beautiful and historic houses, and Eco Brooklyn is doing their part to preserve these wonders through sustainable lead-based paint removal.
People have been fascinated with lead since the Roman Empire, when tonnes of lead were produced for plumbing, construction pins, makeup, spermicides, and even lead based tonics and seasoning. Yum!
Even during the reign of the Romans lead was known to have been toxic, but it was not until the 1970’s that it began to be banned among household products. Lead paint was fervently preferred among master painters for its brilliant white luster and its hydrophobic properties.
Research has shown that even mild lead intoxication can have harmful effects, especially among children, and unborn fetuses.
The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission banned lead in 1977 from toys, paint, and furniture manufacturing. If your home is older than 1978 you may have lead based paint, and if it was painted earlier than the 1970’s you almost certainly do.
As a Green Contractor, Eco Brooklyn utilizes a safe and non-toxic method of lead paint removal. The first step is to assess the paint with a lead test kit, which can usually be found at your local hardware store.
We use our own citrus oil based paint stripper (biodegradable), which we cover for a up to 24 hours. The paint can then be easily extracted without dust particulates or hazards within your home. The only intoxication will be from the euphoric citrus scent doing its job, sustainably.
For more information on Lead Paint visit the EPA’s website
-Anthony Rivale