If you live in an older home that was painted with lead-based paints, don't reach for the vacuum when paint begins to chip and peel off. While it may seem like a logical idea to use a vacuum to avoid touching the chips, contamination can occur when you open the vacuum to empty out the canister. Powerful vacuums can turn paint chips into dust, and when the canister is opened, those dust particles can contaminate the air in your home. Instead, clean up the lead-based chips using a dustpan and broom, then throw them away in the trash.
ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION