“Who cares if it is lead?”
I believe they have to cut the scaffolding, most likely with a torch, which could potentially expose workers to lead fumes. Personally, I think the hazard is overrated. Put them in respirators and move on.
If the workers were made to wear deep sea diver outifts with the air pumped in via hoses from a blower several miles away, then they should be safe from any fumes.
But the psychological and emotional damage from knowing that they touched lead? Can’t heal that.