It took such a long time because the old paint contained lead and had to be carefully removed.

Throw out old painted toys if you do not know whether the paint contains lead.

To prepare painted wood, find out first whether the existing paint contains lead.

However, unless you are certain the paint contains no lead, have testing and professional removal carried out as described earlier.

The agency is also considering publishing a list of paints containing mercury, officials said.

Mr. Benjamin's only defense, the judge said, would be that the paint did not contain lead.

Existing paint, especially on trim, applied before 1977 may contain dangerous amounts of lead.

The only way to determine whether paint contains lead is to have the paint tested.

Afterward, a second coat of paint containing no conditioner is applied.

To prepare previously painted wood, first determine whether the existing paint contains lead, a serious and common health hazard.