Any person working on a house containing lead-based paint - defined by the EPA as having a concentration of lead greater than 1.0 mg/sq. cm or greater than 0.5% by weight, which was often used in houses built prior to 1978 - must take several measures to protect occupants and workers. A very brief summary:
• The owners and occupants must be given a copy of the EPA's pamphlet Renovate Right at least 7 days in advance of work being performed on or in the house
• All companies contracting to do work must be registered with the EPA, and all work must be under the supervision of a person having passed an EPA-approved certification training program.
• All workers must have received training from such a certified individual, and they must be tested at regular intervals for blood lead levels.
• Exceptions are allowed if less than 6 square feet of interior painted surfaces per building are being disturbed, or less than 20 square feet of exterior painted surfaces.
• An opt-out clause for homeowners expires July 6, 2010. After that, all pre-1978 house remodeling will have to comply with the RRP Rule.
• The owners and occupants must be given a copy of the EPA's pamphlet Renovate Right at least 7 days in advance of work being performed on or in the house
• All companies contracting to do work must be registered with the EPA, and all work must be under the supervision of a person having passed an EPA-approved certification training program.
• All workers must have received training from such a certified individual, and they must be tested at regular intervals for blood lead levels.
• Exceptions are allowed if less than 6 square feet of interior painted surfaces per building are being disturbed, or less than 20 square feet of exterior painted surfaces.
• An opt-out clause for homeowners expires July 6, 2010. After that, all pre-1978 house remodeling will have to comply with the RRP Rule.
NEW LAW: LEAD-SAFE REMODELING IN PRE-1978 HOUSING
Certificate from EPA training to perform Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) work on houses built before 1978
AS OF APRIL 22, 2009 Federal standards for lead-safe remodeling and painting take effect. The law is known as the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RR&P) rule, set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Links to several articles related to the lead in homes:
EPA website with links to facts about health effects of lead in homes, how to protect your family, renovating a home containing lead-based paint, and rules & regulations: www.epa.gov/lead/ and RRP-specific details at: www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm
Remodeling Magazine's website has a deeper overview of the law, and links to several articles at: www.remodeling.hw.net/lead-paint
EPA website with links to facts about health effects of lead in homes, how to protect your family, renovating a home containing lead-based paint, and rules & regulations: www.epa.gov/lead/ and RRP-specific details at: www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm
Remodeling Magazine's website has a deeper overview of the law, and links to several articles at: www.remodeling.hw.net/lead-paint
Remodeling Industry consultant Shawn McCadden in February, addressing contractors regarding preparing for the EPA RRP Rule implementation, now in effect - DOUBLE CLICK IMAGE OR USE CONTROLLER TO PLAY VIDEO
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE RRP RULE