The EPA has just announced that they will be three more enforcement actions for violations of the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP). They are requiring the use of lead safe work practices. It is to insure that activities such as sanding, cutting and demolition, which can create hazardous lead dust, are conducted properly by trained and certified contractors. The problem that occurs during renovations with lead based products present, is that the dust gets thrown into the air. The lead in the product is not very harmful to us. But when it is air born and becomes a fine particle it is then inhaled and this raising the chances for Lead related health problems, such as mesothelioma. The reason these enforcmenta have been made is to protect the property owners, as well help wiht the liablity of lawsuits against landlords. Just recently Colin Wentworth, a rental property owner had to pay 10,000 to resolve a violation of the RRP rules. Which was a complaint that stated he was using power equipment to get paint off of an exterior wall. So the enforcments are about protecting are familys and our neighbor hoods. The more prevelent lead becomes the stricter the rules will become on lead. This is to help keep what is most important safe, our families. This crack down on lead is spreading throughout the nation. Due to the toxic nature of the asbestos material its very important people.
Stay Safe Working Around Lead Paint
In challenging economic times, many homeowners consider remodeling their homes rather than moving. Others are remodeling to improve energy efficiency and Go Green! It is important to stay safe when you remodel, whether you are hiring a contractor or doing it yourself. Learn the facts about working with lead paint. Painting or remodeling a home build before 1978 can disturb lead paint and endanger young children. Lead can harm your child’s brain, causing lifelong learning and behavior problems. Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies. Children under age six are most at risk. Lead can harm an unborn baby, if the mother is exposed to lead. Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase the danger to your family and require large costs for proper cleanup to ensure a lead-safe environment. Keep your home a Healthy Home by learning the facts about lead.
Where is lead paint found? Most homes built before 1978 have some lead paint. Homes built before 1960 have the most lead paint. Lead paint can be present on any painted surface, but it is most fen found on windows, trim,doors, railing, columns, porches and outside walls.
Sanding, scraping or otherwise disturbing lead paint can release large amounts of toxic lead dust. This dust isn’t always visible and can settle on floors and other surfaces where it gets on children’s hands and into their mouths. The only way to know for certain if a surface has been coated with lead-based paint is to test it.
New rules adopted by the EPA require that if you hire a contractor to remodel your pre 1978 home and the work involves disturbing paint, the contractor is required to give you the Renovate Right pamphlet before starting work. EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting Program (RRP) rule also requires that, starting April 2010, contractors performing work that disturbs lead-based paint homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 Must be EPA-certified to work with lead-based paint, and Must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.
http://rdsenvironmental.com/tag/home-remodling/
Thomasville, GA has really old homes that have been Remodeled ASK FOR DOCUMENTATION of these bad materials removed. Lead, Asbestos, Mold
Any home built before 1978 has some type of lead base paint; also do not forget the likely chance of Asbestos and mold. Any home from 1978 and 1900 and 1800 should be tested by a company that specializes in removing Lead, Mold, and Asbestos and they should provide documentation of no findings of these types of hazards and dangerous materials in any old home. No documentation buyers beware. As a real estate agent I would not show this type of property or list without proper documentation.
Hazard Materials
