Lead has been outlawed in paint since 1978, so the paint you're removing isn't lead-based, and you'd have to be ingesting it anyway. Old wallpaper was stuck up using wheat paste (although I suppose it's possible that something else was used at times).

I really doubt that you have anything to worry about, though.

thanks so much. i just got this horrible feeling while i was scoring and all this crap was flying around.

The paper and the glue won't be toxic, but if you are scoring and abrading lead-based paint, you should take the proper precautions (and dispose of the painted paper according your local regulations regarding lead paint). Twelve years seems like too little time for five coats of paper and paint. I'd be concerned about lead content.

There could be toxic mold growing on the wallpaper. If you sneeze or get watery eyes while taking down the old paper, that is a likely cause.

There probably isn't genuinely toxic mold growing on their wallpaper. "Toxic mold" has gotten a lot of press in the last few years, but here's what the Centers For Disease Control have to say. The link is to the quoted site, for more information.

Begin quote

I heard about "toxic molds" that grow in homes and other buildings. Should I be concerned about a serious health risk to me and my family?

The term "toxic mold" is not accurate. While certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce toxins (specifically mycotoxins), the molds themselves are not toxic, or poisonous. Hazards presented by molds that may produce mycotoxins should be considered the same as other common molds which can grow in your house.

End quote

I'm allergic to a couple of common household molds, so I agree that you can find mold in places you'd never expect, and they can make you sniffy. But the word "toxic" makes it sound so dire, when the problem is much less widespread than the popular press would have one believe.

Here is a link that might be useful: CDC's National Center for Environmental Health

Your dealing with old paper, it will create a certain amout of dust and will have dirt embedded into it. I'd wear a dusk mask just to be safe.

"twelve years seems like too little time..."

this room was on the po's pay no mind list, storage and the like. the wallpaper was from the beginning of the house in 1907 to before he bought it. he just painted over the whole mess.

HAPPY THURSDAY!!!
How was wall paper made (printed)? If it was anything like silkscreening or any other type of printing, lead and other carcinergens was very common well into the 80's.

I just peeled wallpaper dated 1800’s also found painted walls behind wallpaper. should I be concerned about it being lead paint now exposed?

Your body generally clears toxic substances over time. Accumulation is the thing youbwant to avoid. As a general rule, using a mask is a good idea, regardless of what you're removing. So, if you didn't use a msk, the lead you may have been exposed to is probably not a problem, but the lkess exposure, the better. Thnks to Covid, we all have masks. Wear them when you spray, create dusk, or otherwise expose your lungs to pollutants.