Lead paint behind the radiator?

Question

I moved into an old apartment in April of this year. It was built in the 1930s, therefore, it was painted w/lead-based paint in the past. Since then they have painted over the lead based paint. I got a certificate stating that the apartment passed a lead inspection(as required by law) before moving in. Since its so old, the apt has radiator heating and I've noticed that behind the radiator(between the wall and the radiator), the paint is peeling and cracking and looks like it hasn’t been painted in years and years. The radiator itself is filthy with spider webs and dust in between its coils Its almost impossible to clean because its hard to reach. The apartment is concrete and the radiator is built into that, therefore, it would be tough to remove the radiator to paint behind it. Is it safe, acceptable to have that paint peeling behind the radiator?
FYI this is what the radiator looks like: http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/d/d5/250px-Radiator.jpg
Thank you

Re: David in Kenai
First, thats not the actual radiator picture. Its just an example.
The apartment was built in the 30s so it has been painted w/LBP in the past. The certificate I have is from the Maryland Department of the Environment. It has four inspection categories: 1. Lead free 2. Full Risk Reduction 3. Modified Risk Reduction 4. Lead Safe. A #2 (full risk reduction) was done on my apt. which included a "visual review (interior & exterior)/Dust Sampling" and it passed.

Answer 1

Let me see if I understand: The apartment WAS tested and definitely had lead-based paint (LBP)? And the response was to paint over the LBP? (an acceptable response in some cases). Then there was another inspection, not for the PRESENCE of LBP, but confirming that all the paint was INTACT and therefore there was a minimal risk of exposure?

Background: If it had a lead-based paint (LBP) inspection, they almost certainly used an x-ray fluoresence (XRF) instrument to test each wall, window, window trim, door, and door trim in each room. Look at the report to see.

An XRF "sees through" all the old paint layers and totals the lead in all of them. So it if wasn't in middle of the wall, it wouldn't be behind the radiator (unless the majority of the wall was once striped entirely).

Even in 1930, the vast majority of interior walls weren't painted with LBP. If used, LBP would most likely have been used in trim work and possibly in the kitchen or bath.

If the house underwent LBP remediation work AND that wall was known to be LBP, then the peeling paint behind the radiator would be highly suspect. But if the original inspection didn't find LBP ON THAT WALL, I see no reason why the paint behind the radiator would be any different than the paint elsewhere that was tested. The inspection should also have tested the paint ON the radiator and that should be reported as positive or negative somewhere in an appendix in the report.

You'll need to look at the details in the report to see which surfaces tested positive as LBP. And that impact surfaces (door and window trim) were removed or striped. But somewhere in the reports should be details of what was originally on the wall that contains the radiator.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

what you need to do is inform the landlord and tell him that its peeling. Make sure to take pictures of it as well. If he fails to fix it go to the local health department and tell them trust me they will be jumping on him quicker than you can blink. Now as far as cleaning i would say to invest in one of those hand held swifer dusters i use mine for everything ceiling fans mirrors etc.... they have extender handle ones you can buy. Once all the dust and dirt is off then spray with greased lighting and let it sit then take a spray bottle of water and spray to rinse. With the greased lighting no scrubbing is required. Make sure to put towels around the bottom of the radiator before you use the greased lighting and water. Well i hope this works for you.

Answer 3

Lead based paint poses no hazard unless you ingest it. If you have a toddeler, then you would want to keep them away from it. If not, then it should be no hazard to you. Lead based paint is not an airborne hazard like asbestos fibers, so I wouldn't be too concerned.

Answer 4

david in kenai is right, i have these rads in my house and use a crack and crevice tool on my shop vac to clean them out, as to painting the wall they now have slender rollers that will even fit behind the frig.