Renovation, Repair, or Painting of Homes Built Prior to 1978 are required to
first undergo Lead Paint Testing and use RRP Certified Contractors if Paint
Surfaces are to be Disturbed
By Mark J. Donovan
Older homes offer historic charm,
classic looks, and unique attributes often not typically found with new home
construction. However with older homes comes increased care and
responsibility when it comes to renovating, repairing and painting them. In
particular, any home built prior to 1978 may have lead paint in, on, or
around it. As a matter of fact, 69% of homes built between 1940 and 1960 are
likely to contain lead. As a result, federal law requires contractors that
are expected to disturb painted surfaces on homes built prior to 1978 to
first undergo renovation, repair, and painting certification (RRP
certification).
As part of their RRP
certification contractors learn how to conduct lead paint testing, follow
specific work practices, and prevent lead contamination while renovating,
repairing and painting older homes.
Lead absorbed into the human body, can adversely affect brain and nervous
system development, particularly in small children, and lead to learning
disabilities and behavioral problems. Lead poisoning is also a concern for
adults. Even small amounts of lead ingested by adults can lead to high blood
pressure and mental decline.
Lead paint, and particularly lead
dust associated with the disturbance or decay of lead based paints in or around
the home, is the most common way people are exposed to lead. Consequently it is
vitally important to conduct lead paint testing on your home if it was built
prior to 1978. If lead paint testing does confirm that there is lead in or
around the home, then only certified lead abatement contractors should be used
to eliminate the threat of exposure. In addition, if you have remodeling, repair
or painting plans associated with a home built prior to 1978 then make sure to
use RRP certified contractors to ensure you do not put you and your family at
risk of lead exposure.
When screening potential contractors for a renovation, repair or painting
project on a home built prior to 1978 make sure the prospective contractors
can provide you with a copy of their RRP certification. In addition, by
federal law, each contractor should also provide you with a copy of the
EPA’s “The Lead-Safe Certified Guide to Renovate Right” pamphlet. If they do
not, or cannot provide you with this document, then steer clear of them as
they are failing one the first steps in proper EPA lead paint certification
rules.
As part of the process of renovating, repairing, or painting a home built
prior to 1978 an RRP certified contractor will first conduct lead paint
testing. If lead paint is detected and the work requires disturbing it in
any way, the contractor should follow EPA lead paint certification rules
that contain the work area and prevent home occupants from entering it while
it is disturbed. In addition, the RRP certified contractor should utilize
renovation methods that minimize the creation of dangerous lead based dust,
and clean the work area daily using special cleaning methods.
Finally, after the renovation, repair or painting work has been completed
the contractor should have a lead dust test performed by an independent lead
company. The lead dust test samples should be sent to the lead company’s
laboratory for analysis and confirmation that the work area is indeed free
of lead dust before the occupants of the home are allowed to re-enter the
renovated area.
For more information on lead paint testing and RRP certification contact the
National Lead Information Center or visit
www.epa.gov/lead/nlic.htm. They
can put you in contact with qualified lead testing laboratories and
professionals. There are also local businesses, such as Lead-EDU in New
Hampshire, that offer
Lead Paint Testing Kits and RRP Certification.
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