The Traditional Paint Forum

ISSUE 15

FIFTEENTH ISSUE

FEBRUARY 2008

LEAD PAINT – USE IT OR LOSE IT

The continuing use of lead paints – paints containing lead carbonate or lead sulphate and whose supply and use is controlled by various national and EU regulations – may be reaching a crisis point as it comes under increasing pressure from several different quarters.

There is growing pressure within the UK’s paint making industry’s trade association from some of its larger members (often foreign owned) for all members to renounce the manufacture of all lead paints. As most manufacturers stopped making lead paints in the 1960s, it is hard to understand the logic of this move unless it a hopeful attempt to deflect ambulance-chasing lawyers from pursuing a retrospective class action as is the fashion in America – an action which shows a touching if (I believe) misguided belief in the legal system. Whatever the reason, the big manufacturers are pressing the few remaining smaller ones to stop making lead paints.

The second and rather disappointing attack comes from certain national bodies who are not specifying lead paints in circumstances where they would be allowed but are going for other and usually poorer performing materials for a variety of different reasons, perhaps a mixture of ignorance of lead paints useful qualities and the desire to take what is perceived as the easy option of specifying “modern” paints. One recent trial of exterior paints for wood by one body didn’t even use lead paint as a “control” sample.

But perhaps the greatest threat comes unsurprisingly from the EU. Recent legislation called the REACH regulations require all new and existing chemicals to be tested for their effects on both humans and the environment. As you might imagine, this does not come cheap and the remaining manufacturers of white lead may just decide that it is too expensive to register it and just stop supplying white lead.
So the future of white lead paints is very much in our hands as users and specifiers – Use it or lose it.

The next edition of Traditional Paint News is about to go to the printers and will be available shortly after the New Year. It contains many of the papers that were given at the 2007 Conference “Setting the Scene” as well as other articles and features. It is distributed free to all paid-up members of the Forum and is also available to purchase together with back numbers – see the website www.traditionalpainforum.org.uk for more information.

TPF 2008 CONFERENCE
Soane: Paint, Colour & Light
Friday 18th April 2008, Sir John Soane’s Museum,
Lincoln’s Inn Field, London

Sir John Soane (1753 – 1837) was not only one of Britain’s greatest architects but also amassed an outstanding collection of architectural objects which he bequeathed to the nation and are now displayed at his Museum in Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

The son of a bricklayer, Soane established himself as one of the most respected architects of his period particularly for his innovative use of light and colour to supplement the classical traditions he had assimilated during his tour through France and Italy.

Our next Conference will look at his extraordinary use of Paint, Colour and Light not only at Lincoln’s Inn Fields but also some of his other major surviving works such as Moggerhanger, Pitzhanger and Dulwich Picture Gallery. We are very fortunate that many of the leading experts on Soane and his work have agreed to speak.

We are also extremely privileged to be able to hold the Conference in the extraordinary setting of his Museum surrounded by his unique collection. As a bonus, at the conclusion of the day, we will have a private guided tour of the Museum followed by a glass of wine.

The following day (Saturday) we will have a private Tour of two of his surviving buildings, Pitzhanger and the Soane Family Tomb near St Pancras.

Accommodation at the Museum is very limited and applications will be dealt with on a first-come, first served basis. Full details of the Conference programme will be circulated in early January together with a booking form. If you would like these details, please contact us at mailto:tpf@snkp15.demon.co.uk

3rd INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURAL PAINT RESEARCH CONFERENCE
17th – 19th January 2008, New York

This follows on from the very successful Conference held in Copenhagen in May 2005 and will be held at Columbia University site of the oldest graduate programme in Historic Preservation in the United States. More details can be found at the conference’s website www.aprconference.us

These will remain unchanged at £25 for individual members and £50 for a company. Members are reminded that these become due in January 2008 and reminders will be sent out with the Journal. As a development, we are introducing standing orders which we hope will save time and money for both members and the Forum’s overworked office bearers. The committee very much hope that as many members as possible will sign up for a Standing Order which will ensure that they continue to receive all the benefits of membership; reduced Conference fees, a copy of Traditional Paint News and the satisfaction of supporting a small beacon of knowledge.

Please note: Each issue of SMUDGE is written, in turn, by a member of the Traditional Paint Forum, subject to the control of the Committee. The information is provided in good faith. It is not necessarily the view of other members of the Forum; it is offered only as a contribution to the ongoing debate.