Is it safe to refinish an old wood floor with the kids at home?

What's actually in it

Refinishing old wood floors usually means sanding (which creates dust) and finishing (which means solvent-based polyurethane or similar coatings). In a home built before 1978, there's a good chance of lead paint somewhere: edges of baseboards, old cabinets, doorframes. Sanding anywhere near them generates lead dust that settles throughout the house.

Polyurethane finishes also release VOCs for days to weeks after application, even after the surface feels dry.

What the research says

A 2026 county-wise study in Geohealth on groundwater chemistry and children's blood lead levels reinforced how common environmental lead exposure remains in US homes. Renovation activities are one of the biggest single-event drivers of pediatric lead exposure, especially in pre-1978 housing. Sanding is classified by the EPA as a lead-disturbing activity.

If refinishing is unavoidable, get the kids and pregnant parents out of the house for the whole process (sanding, finishing, and at least a week after). Hire a RRP-certified contractor (Renovation, Repair, and Painting program): they're trained for lead-safe work practices and use containment tubs. Choose water-based polyurethane (Bona Traffic HD and others) over oil-based; the VOC load is much lower. Clean surfaces with HEPA vacuum and wet-wipe before letting kids back in.