New EPA lead regulations for remodeling contractors
The Environmental Protection Agency has important information to share with homeowners considering remodeling. Beginning in April, federal law will require contractors who work in homes (as well as childcare facilities or schools) built before 1978 to receive special training and certification for the removal of any surfaces covered with lead paint. Contractors will also have to follow stricter work practices to prevent lead contamination.
These regulations are being set up to more effectively prevent children from inhaling or swallowing toxic lead and to protect contractors from costly lawsuits. The risk of lead poisoning in children is still a health issue, although lead-based paint has been banned in this country since 1978.
Health concerns tied to the ingestion of such paint are seizures, intestinal ailments, learning disabilities and behavioral problems. While no one can dispute the need for protecting children from the hazards of lead-based paint, we can expect to see the cost of the training and needed equipment to be passed along to the consumer.
The EPA has set up the following requirements for contractors:
- Have a trained and certified lead renovator on staff. Certification requires an 8-hour class and at least 2 hours of hands-on training.
- Post warning signs outside the work area.
- Contain and clean up dust according to EPA guidelines. This may require sealing off the work area with plastic sheeting, isolating air vents and limiting access.
- Clean work areas with HEPA-equipped vacuums and other specialized tools.
- After cleanup, have the area tested and verified lead-free by an EPA certified lead inspector.
These rules apply to anyone - carpenters, electricians, painters, plumbers, etc - who is paid to remove or disturb more than 6 square feet of possible contaminated surfaces. Failure to do so could result in very stiff fines, as much as $37,500 per day, per project.
Posted by Sharon Walker
The EPA has a good reference called “Using Barriers to Contain Dust and other Pollutants” Here is the link from their site. http://www.epa.gov/iaq/homes/hip-barriers.html. Barriers should be used to contain the spread of dust and other pollutants from the work area to other parts of the home. A simple barrier consists of 6 mil poly sheeting taped over doors and other openings in the room. Poly sheeting should also be taped over any supply and return registers for the home’s heating, cooling, or ventilation system that are in the room to avoid spreading the pollutants or contaminating the ducts. Having blocked off registers, you should be sure to provide ventilation for the area. An exhaust fan, with provision for make-up air, complements this strategy well. For more information, see the discussion of ventilation containment strategies that create a pressure barrier to prevent the spread of pollutants. ZipWall’s new ZipPole system is a great system for only $169, half the price of the original ZipWall Barrier System. Click here to learn more: http://www.zipwall.com/lp/lpZipPole.html
February 5th, 2010 at 1:07 am
John,
We thank you for your interest in our blog and for the helpful information you have shared. We hope you’ll continue to follow us on Connect2Agent.com.
Sharon
February 9th, 2010 at 7:08 am