EPA Lead notice requirements for houses built before 1978

Effective Dec. 22nd, 2008, federal law requires that individuals receive certain information before renovating six square feet or more of painted surfaces in a room for interior projects or more than twenty square feet of painted surfaces for exterior projects in housing, child care facilities and schools built before 1978. EPA Lead Pamphlet

This pamphlet contains information on the dangers of lead & ways of minimizing the issues. “You have the ultimate responsibility for the safety of your family, tenants, or children in your care. This means properly preparing for the renovation and keeping persons out of the work area. It also means ensuring the contractor uses lead-safe work practices.”

Beginning April 2010, federal law will also require contractors that disturb lead-based paint in buildings built before 1978 be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Therefore beginning in April 2010, ask to see the contractor’s certification.

Until then, the EPA recommends that you make sure your contractor can explain clearly the details of the job and how the contractor will minimize lead hazards during the work.  If you have any previous lead tests done, these need to be shared with the contractor. You should make sure that the contract is clear about how the work will be set up, performed, and cleaned up. The contract should specify which parts of your home are part of the work area and specify which lead-safe work practices should be used in those areas (found on pages 9 & 10).

The three basic tenants of Lead Safety practices are to contain the work area, minimize dust & clean thoroughly. At SLS Construction those 3 principles are adhered to no matter what the age of the building is or the size of the project. After April 2010 or per a Homeowners request, the EPA is recommending that a Lead Dust Test be completed.

Additional info is available at www.EPA.gov/lead