How The Next Lead Rule Affects You
Source: http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2010/sep/08/how-next-lead-rule-affects-you/
Do you live in a home built before 1978?
Do you want to do some remodeling to make your home more comfortable, energy-efficient, or “roomy?” If so, consider the following:
Does your home need repainting?
Do you need some “weatherization” improvements?
Do you need new energy-efficient windows or doors installed?
Does your siding or trim need to be replaced?
Do you need a room addition?
Do you need some electrical, plumbing, or heating/ventilation/air conditioning work done that would involve cutting holes in your walls or ceilings?
Would any remodeling activity require the removal of baseboards or other molding?
Would a roofing project require the drip edge or fascia to be disturbed or removed?
If any of these conditions apply, there is a new regulation that affects you. It is called the Environmental Protection Agency’s renovation, repair and painting rule, which became enforceable on April 22.
This rule is targeted at reducing your exposure to lead-based paint dust generated by traditional renovation work. The RRP rule requires that any renovation of your home that you pay for must be conducted by a certified firm using certified renovators.
This rule requires certified firms and the specially trained certified renovators to do their lead-safe work practices in a specific way and to maintain specific records and paperwork. The EPA can demand to see those records up to three years in the past. If those records are missing or incomplete or show violations of this RRP rule, the EPA is allowed to fine that violator so much money that it will likely put the company out of business.
Why is lead such a hazard?
Lead is a hazardous material that can cause great harm to humans, especially children. Although lead-based paint was banned from residential use in 1978, about 38 million pre-1978 homes contain this hazard.
Lead is toxic when ingested or inhaled and can cause children to develop learning disabilities and behavioral problems such as hyperactivity and can even reduce their IQ. In addition to nervous system damage, lead can cause hearing damage, kidney problems and decreased muscle and bone growth, among other issues.
Even pregnant women who ingest or inhale lead dust can transfer lead to their babies in the womb, which can cause developmental issues. Obviously, these lead-induced problems can negatively affect children for the rest of their lives.
Lead-based paint that is peeling, deteriorating, chalking or has been disturbed is a common source of paint chips and dust, both inside a home and in soil. Children typically ingest lead dust during normal play activities because they often put their lead-contaminated hands, fingers and toys in their mouths.
Even children who seem healthy may have lead poisoning. The only sure way to determine if a child has lead poisoning is to have your medical provider conduct a blood lead level test.
Adults also can be affected by lead. When lead dust is inhaled or ingested, adults can develop high blood pressure, hypertension, kidney problems, digestive issues, memory and concentration problems and joint and muscle aches, among other conditions.
Lead poisoning is, however, completely preventable. That is why it is important for you to be aware of the hazards of lead, avoid contact with it and ensure that your renovation is being performed by a certified firm using certified renovators.
New, Confusing ‘Delay’ Announced
Although the EPA’s renovation, repair and painting rule was enforced on April 22 and further strengthened on July 6, the EPA announced a confusing “delay” in the certification requirements on June 18. However, this announcement did not delay the conformance to the rule’s requirements.
All lead-safe work practices, requirements and record-keeping mandates still must be specifically followed as the RRP rule states and the EPA will continue to issue fines for violations. Unfortunately, this announcement is going to cause many people to be confused.
The EPA will now allow firms to have until Oct. 1 to receive their certification from the EPA, which can take up to 90 days of processing time as allowed by the RRP rule. To be clear, the Oct. 1 deadline is not a postmark deadline; it is the date that the “approved” certified firm certificate must be received back from the EPA. So firms should send in their applications now to allow for up to 90 days of processing. After Oct. 1, the EPA can take enforcement actions for firms not being certified.
Remember, even if the firm has not yet received the certified firm certificate, the firm must still perform all of the requirements of the RRP rule.
Additionally, the EPA extended the deadline for individual renovation workers to enroll in a certified renovator training class to Sept. 30 and mandated that the training must be completed by Dec. 31. However, the EPA still requires all lead-safe work practices mandated by the RRP rule to be followed even if the renovators have not yet taken the training. So, you can see, the “delay” will just cause confusion.
What to expect during a renovation
You may want to know some information about what happens during a proper renovation of a pre-1978 home, with lead-based paint, conducted under the RRP Rule. The information you need will be covered in the “Renovate Right” pamphlet, but here are some brief points:
You will need to move everything that can be moved out of the room or area being renovated.
Your certified renovator will need to do several things to prepare for and conduct the renovation:
Put up caution signs to identify the work area as hazardous and for everyone, except the certified renovator and his or her trained workers, to stay out (this is very important for you, your family, and any pets).
Put up a double door flap, made out of plastic sheeting and tape, over the work area’s exit door.
Seal off all of the other doors, windows and heating and cooling vents and returns with plastic sheeting and tape (you may also need to turn off the heating or cooling system during the renovation).
Cover any remaining heavy objects in the room with plastic.
Put down plastic sheeting on the floor and otherwise contain the hazardous renovation area to keep any dust that is produced inside the containment area.
Use paint removal methods that minimize the dust being created but never use the prohibited practices, which are explained in the “Renovate Right” pamphlet.
Use specialized techniques to clean the work area such as using a HEPA vacuum and disposable wet wipes.
Keep your family safe
If you are a homeowner considering any type of remodeling or renovation project on your pre-1978 home, make sure you are keeping yourself and your family protected from lead-based paint hazards. Please ensure that any contractor you get a bid from or hire to perform the work is a “certified firm” and has a “certified renovator” assigned to your project.
Additionally, before your renovation project, you must receive a free copy of the “Renovate Right” pamphlet from your contractor and, after your renovation project, you must receive a free copy of the post-renovation disclosure from your contractor, which lets you know how the certified firm complied with the RRP Rule.
You can go to www.epa.gov/lead or call 1-800-424-LEAD (5323) for lead data. More information is available from the National Center for Healthy Housing at www.nchh.org.