Testing for Paris Green and other dangerous paints

[flowera]

I was stripping the paper from a bedroom in our 1862 house yesterday and in places several layers of paper/paint came away to reveal a green original coat. Its pretty close to emerald green in shade and of course alarm bells began to ring in my mind following some previous appends here about Paris Green/arsenic etc.

At this stage I've ceased work until I understand more clearly what I'm dealing with. Can anyone recommend a lab that will analyse a sample for me? I've searched the 'suppliers' page on this site and drawn a blank so far.

Alan.

 

[Nemesis]

I seem to recall the general opinion is that the risk is very, very low. I hope so, as my stiarcase has green paint on it...

Further Information
The Traditional Paint Forum, c/o Una Richards, National Trust for Scotland, 28 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh EH2 4ET


We did have discusions though - try a search of the archive?

I have a recollection Matt Green had information, and maybe Peter Maitland Hood.

http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/paint/paint.htm


Interesting article!

http://www.popularscience.co.uk/features/feat17.htm

 

[Penners]

I don't know whether this will be of any help, but the British Coatings Federation have a website that gives a lot of advice about lead-based paints. If there's nothing on the website about Paris Green, then a phone call to them might help you to find someone who can advise you.

http://www.coatings.org.uk/default.asp?edit_id=305&nav=293&branch=5#what

 

[Peter]

It's not only green

http://www.noteaccess.com/MATERIALS/SafetyPigments.htm

 

[Penners]

I'm sorry, Flowera, but I can't help a silly grin when I read this topic.

Any fan of "Blackadder" will remember the day when Lord Percy and Baldrick discovered a "nugget of purest green".

 

[thiambal]

Here is everything you need to know....

apparently in small doses it can be beneficial! Would licking the walls be considered a small dose.

On the up side - symptoms leading to death usuall ocours within 30 mins - so if you are reading this - you probably did not die from it!

 

[NT]

A good place to look in yellow pages is at companies that analyse water for its numerous contaminants.


NT