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Yes, it may very well be lead-based paint. Much of the paint used in that era was, and even today you can still buy paint that contains lead. You have to read the labels, if it doesn't say "Lead-Free", it may still have lead. Lead will affect your kidneys, among other things and is stored in the body, releasing it over time. It is especially dangerous for young children because their bodies are still developing and the effects of lead poisoning can plague them their entire lives. There are 2 ways to get lead poisoning, by ingesting it and by inhaling it. You can protect yourself from ingesting with good hygiene practices. That means not eating, drinking or smoking when handling lead. Keep your hands away from your mouth when they are dirty. Change clothes when you go into the house, including your shoes. Don't bring the lead inside and comtaminate your wife, kids and the house. You can buy Tyvek disposable suits to wear when you are removing lead paint to help with this. Wear a good, tight-fitting respirator to keep from inhaling lead dust. Use a P-100 or R-100 PARTICULATE filter, formerly known as HEPA (not the charcoal type, they are for organic vapors). Shave off the beard to get a good fit, if you worked for me you would have to be fit-tested in your respirator. These are but a few of the considerations for removing lead-based paint. If you need to know more, post back and I'll try to help.
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