I recently had a TaskRabbit install a railing, and he ended up drilling into the wall that has encapsulated lead paint. I wasn't expecting him to do that, and now I'm concerned since this happened about a foot above my bed. After he drilled, there were some quarter-sized spots of paint dust that I cleaned up, but I'm still anxious. Should I think about lead poisoning testing? Has anyone experienced something similar? What can I do to minimize any harm?
2 Answers
Honestly, it sounds like you're worrying more than necessary. That "mound" of dust is likely just gypsum from the wall, not lead paint. Unless you were eating the dust, you'll probably be fine. Just take a deep breath!
While I get your concern, lead poisoning from paint usually happens over time, not from a one-time incident. If it helps your peace of mind, go ahead and get tested. Just make sure you clean the area well to prevent any dust from spreading.
Haha, thanks for the reassurance! I guess I panicked a bit. I just didn’t know what to think when I first saw it.