• Extreme care should be taken when stripping paint, the peelings, residue and vapors of paint may contain lead, which is poisonous. Once deposited on surfaces, hand to mouth contact can result in the ingestion of lead. Exposures to even low levels of lead can caused irreversible brain and nervous system damage; young and unborn children are particularly vulnerable. Do not smoke, eat or drink in a 9 ENGLISHENGLISH work area that could or may be contaminated by lead. Lead based paints should only