Painting and Decorating Concourse
734-464-3883
SM
Lead Paint Resources and Information
Items for the Professional
The Internet Paint Store
"the right way to buy paint supplies"
http://www.paintnstaininc.com/TheInternetPaintStore.html
The Rule Requiring the Use of Lead-Safe Practices

  • Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children.

  • To protect against this risk, on March 31, 2008, EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices (79 pp, 847K) and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under the rule, beginning in April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

  • Until that time, EPA recommends that anyone performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools follow lead-safe work practices.

  •    * All contractors should follow these three simple procedures:
  •          o Contain the work area.
  •          o Minimize dust.
  •          o Clean up thoroughly.





  • The rule will affect paid renovators who work in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities, including:

  •    * Renovation contractors
  •    * Maintenance workers in multi-family housing
  •    * Painters and other specialty trades.

  • Under the rule, child-occupied facilities are defined as residential, public or commercial buildings where children under age six 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 six square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed in a room or where less then 20 square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed on the exterior. Window replacement is not minor maintenance or repair.


Do not sand, scrape or in any way disturb old painted (or stained and varnished) surfaces. Lead was banned for use in residential paint in the United States in 1978. Any substrate or surface painted, stained or "varnished" prior to 1978 may contain lead . Disturbing  these surfaces may release lead dust which is harmful and toxic and can cause serious illness including brain damage.

Exposure to lead dust or fumes may cause brain damage or other adverse health effects, especially in children or pregnant women. Controlling exposure to lead or other hazardous substances requires the use of proper protective equipment, such as a properly fitted respirator (NIOSH approved) and proper containment and cleanup. For more information, call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (in US) or contact your local health authority.

Work that requires disturbing of pre-1978 surfaces should be hired out to professionals trained in lead safe practices.

Learn how to protect yourself and your family: contact the National Lead Information Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD or see  EPA lead information page at:  http://www.epa.gov/lead

Important Note: Lead in commercial or industrial paint was not banned with the 1978 ban on lead in residential paint.  Non-residential renovation and painting requires lead awareness, and lead safe practices even if constructed after 1978.

Consider Using a Certified Contractor
As of April 22, 2010, contractors who disturb painted surfaces on pre-1978 housing or child care facilities need to be certified.  Certified contractors will be required to use lead safe work practices in accordance with the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule training course.
Lead Paint Warning
copyright  Paint-N-Stain Inc. / Terms of Use
©