My Victorian House has dodgy green paint on the walls - is this dangerous?

My house was build in the 1880s and has a green ';wash'; of paint over the plaster on some walls. Does anyone know what this paint is and if it is harmful? Should I do anything to protect myself when I am removing it?





My Mum has a heritage paint chart with exactly the same colour on it and the colour is called ';Arsenic';! This is not inspiring! Can anyone help me?My Victorian House has dodgy green paint on the walls - is this dangerous?
It may contain lead or it could just be a milk based paint. If you go to one of the larger paint stores you should be able to buy a kit which you can test the paint with. Or if you can't find that, the paint store should tell you how to protect yourself while stripping the paint off the walls.My Victorian House has dodgy green paint on the walls - is this dangerous?
this may sound a little dumb, but since the house is old, the walls are lathe and plaster, plaster is organic, Could your dodgy green paint be old mildew and/or mold stains.


Test this theory with a solution of bleach and water.
I am a lead abatement supervisor and must insist before any renovations you test your home for lead. Lead was added to paint to improve it. It was used in high humidity areas (kitchen, bath etc.) You cannot encapsulate friction surfaces (floors, doors where they touch, windows). If you are doing renovations you should wear a respirator (about $40 for an adequate one) dont use those paper masks, they are worse than nothing if not fit properly.





If you have lead in your house, you do not need to panic. Encapaulation can be done by you. It's just another form of paint with an additive to prevent pealing and chipping. As with all things, cleanleness is the best prevention. If you are unsure, check with your local state government for programs in your area for lead abatement and interim controls.





I would not recommend removing the paint in any case, if it is wet plaster, when you try to remove the paint you will make a bigger mess. Wet sanding is best to prep the wall. Let it dry thoroughly and then put on a good primer. You can tell when you're done if when you feel the wall you cannot feel the bumps. If after priming you see imperfections, fix them before painting, much easier.





Here's a personal note, you should never paint a wet plaster wall in high humidity or when raining, for some reason the paint will not dry. If you do paint, wait until the first coat is dry (do a patch test) before applying the second coat or they will both come off the first time you put tape on the wall!
I love the word Dodgy as a definition of so many things. Smiles.





Certainly it isn't Latex based paint, though could be oil. I suggest it could contain lead, which is an issue. You state WASH however, and without testing, I certainly can't know.





After applying thousands of gallons of variously based paints, I think answer number two offers a clue as to the next step for you. Have it tested. I'd be pretty confident in the Lead in the paint, not being so critical, if it wasn't being ingested or any micro particles from it being inhaled, but it should be removed, if it has any lead in it, rather than just painting over it.





Ironic that with millions of names given to paint colors, a company would tag it with one that already creates images of death or illness. I happen to favor GREENS, but I'd choose another shade.





Steven Wolf


(The Rev.)
wear a ventilator and keep from breathing it ,, keep windows open and air flowing ,cover everything and then make sure you clean really well after.. it might not be poisoness but could be dangerous right on..
I'm confused as to what you mean by 'Remove'...here's the poop...Most dangers of Lead based paint are involving 'friction' surfaces on woodwork mostly, door frames, windows etc, which rub over time and create harmful airborne particles...., you will need to do research on how to remove it safely, there are many things you need to know before removing lead based paint, including what's called ';incapisillator'; (think it's spelled right) for eventually covering the surfaces of the woodwork not in 'friction' areas, as the paint needs to be completely from those friction areas..As for walls, just seal and repaint...
Not sure where you are located but if you are at all concerned about the safety of the paint on your walls then contact your local EPA office (or similar organization) and request information on how to properly remove or encapsulate the paint.





below are two links one about arsenic paint and the other about lead paint removal...hope it helps
YOUR ';PAINT'; IS MOST LIKELY CALCIMINE. YOU COULD MIX IT OR GET IT IN GREEN OR BLUE, I BELIEVE. WHEN APPLYING IT-IT WAS SORT OF LIKE APPLYING WHITEWASH.


ANYWAY, GIVEN THE AGE OF THE HOUSE AND THE FACT IT IS APPLIED OVER PLASTER-IT WILL BE CALCIMINE. YOU CAN READ ALL ABOUT IT IN THIS WEBSITE AND OTHERS ALSO. IN PARTICULAR THOSE ON HISTORIC HOUSES. THE LAST TIME I USED IT-ABOUT 1942.
Only if you look at it too long. LOL