EPA, Lead Paint, Renovating and You!

On April 22, of 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a rule requiring any and all contractors performing "renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based pain in homes built before 1978 to be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination." Officially, it is known as the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting rule or RRP.

You can see the full EPA rule by clicking here.

The EPA's new RRP rule affects paid renovation contractors who work in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities. Under the rule, "child occupied facilities are defined as residential, public or commercial buildings where children under age 6 are present on a regular basis. The requirements apply to renovation, repair or painting activities. The rule does not apply to minor maintenance or repair activities where less than 6 square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed in a room or where less than 20 square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed on the exterior. Window replacement is not a minor maintenance or repair."

Contractors who perform work in pre-1978 housing that tests positive for lead-based paint must go through an 8 hour Lead Renovator program and certify their firm with the EPA. Both the Lead Renovator certificate and EPA certification is good for 5 years.

Prior to starting any work, your contractor should give you a copy of the EPA's Lead-Safe Certified Guide to Renovate Right.

Basically, any contractor performing work in a home that has tested positive for lead based paint should follow three simple work procedures:

1. Contain the work area.
2. Minimize dust.
3. Clean up thoroughly.

Obviously, it is not that simple, and in future blog entries we will delve into each aspect further including how lead can affect you, the likelihood of lead being in your home, how to test for lead, how to renovate safely, how to clean-up, and the associated costs with all these regulations.

Until then, if you would like to read more about the Renovation, Repair and Painting rule, you can go to the EPA's site.