Loose lead particles should be removed from protective clothing by vacuuming , using a HEPA‑filtered vacuum, not by brushing, shaking, or blowing, because those methods spread lead dust into the air and increase inhalation risk.

Safe basic procedure

  • Keep the protective clothing on in a designated “dirty” area away from eating and break areas to avoid spreading contamination.
  • While still wearing appropriate PPE (gloves, and a respirator if required by your workplace), slowly vacuum the clothing with a HEPA vacuum, paying special attention to seams, cuffs, pockets, and folds where dust accumulates.
  • Avoid any brushing, shaking, or blowing with compressed air; these actions aerosolize lead dust and can contaminate the workspace and other people.

After vacuuming

  • If the garment is reusable, follow your employer’s decontamination procedure—typically bag the clothing in a sealed bag or container for separate laundering by an approved service or in a dedicated machine, never with household laundry.
  • Dispose of vacuum bags/filters and any wipes or disposable items used in the process as hazardous waste according to local regulations, since they now contain lead.
  • Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water after handling contaminated PPE to reduce the chance of bringing lead home to family members.

In exam or quiz form, if you see options like “brushing,” “shaking,” “blowing,” or “vacuuming,” the correct answer is vacuuming with an appropriate HEPA unit.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.