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exploring green interiors - new lead rules
Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program I wanted to share some important information for homeowners who may be considering home renovations. Have you heard about the Environmental Protection Agency’s new “lead paint law” that went into effect on April 22nd? This law affects houses built prior to 1978—many of our homes! If you are considering home renovations, you may want to find out more. Here are the basics from the EPA’s website:
“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. Under the rule, 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. Renovation is broadly defined as any activity that disturbs painted surfaces and includes most repair, remodeling, and maintenance activities, including window replacement.”
What activities are subject to the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program? In general, any activity that disturbs paint in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities, including: remodeling and repair/maintenance, electrical work, plumbing, painting, carpentry, and window replacement.
What housing or activities are excluded and not subject to the rule?
• Housing built in 1978 or later.
• Housing for elderly or disabled persons, unless children under 6 reside or are expected to reside there.
• Zero-bedroom dwellings (studio apartments, dormitories, etc.).
• Housing or components declared lead-free by a certified inspector or risk assessor.
• Minor repair and maintenance activities that disturb 6 square feet or less of paint per room inside, or 20 square feet or less on the exterior of a
home or building.
The training, certification, and work practice requirements do not apply where the firm obtained a signed statement from the owner that all of the following are met:
The renovation will occur in the owner’s residence;
No child under age 6 resides there;
No woman who is pregnant resides there;
The housing is not a child-occupied facility; and
The owner acknowledges that the renovation firm will not be required to use the work practices contained in the rule.
Contractors are required to be certified and registered with the EPA, their employees must be trained in use of lead-safe work practices, and lead-safe work practices that minimize occupants’ exposure to lead hazards must be followed. Compliance measures must be documented.
EPA’s lead program rules apply only to renovations performed for compensation; therefore, if you work on your own home, the rules do not apply. EPA encourages homeowners to use lead-safe work practices, nonetheless, in order to protect themselves, their families, and the value of their homes.
It is important to ask your contractor if his/her firm has followed the procedures to be certified by the EPA, as non-compliance comes with penalties, including immediate work stoppage for indefinite periods of time and fines of up to $32,500/day. Please be sure to ask your contractor or painter if he/she is EPA Lead-Safe Certified. And if you are not sure if your project will be affected by the new rule, take the time to learn more about it. It could make all the difference in your project! For more information visit http://www.epa.gov/lead/
—By Beth Haley of Beth Haley Design
Editor’s Note: Beth Haley Design, an urban interior design firm, assists clients with all phases of renovation, remodeling, new construction, and décor.
Haley has won awards from the Tennessee Chapter ASID(American Society of Interior Designers). She is a member of ASID, HGTV Designers Portfolio, Home Builders Association Remodelers Council, National Kitchen and BathAssociation (NKBA), and the USGBC. E-mail your questions to her at ngregg@ ngregg.com or visit http://www.bethhaleydesign.com.
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