FAQ's concerning Lead & RRP Rule (Information provided by EPA)
What is Lead?
Lead is a toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes. Lead also can be emitted into the air from motor vehicles and industrial sources, and lead can enter drinking water from plumbing materials. Lead-based paint is present in many homes built before 1978. The federal government banned the use of lead-based paint in housing in 1978. Lead is known to cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death. Children six years old and under are most at risk from exposure lead-based paint because they crawl on the floor and they put their hands and other items which can have lead-based paint dust on them into their mouths. Because their bodies are still growing, children tend to absorb more lead than adults. From: www.epa.gov/lead.
Where is Lead found?
In general, the older your home, the more likely it has lead-based paint.
Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. The federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978. Some states stopped its use even earlier.
In soil around a home. Soil can pick up lead from exterior paint, or other sources such as past use of leaded gas in cars, and children playing in yards can ingest or inhale lead dust.
In household dust. Dust can pick up lead from deteriorating lead-based paint or from soil tracked into a home.
Drinking water. Your home might have plumbing with lead or lead solder. Call your local health department or water supplier to find out about testing your water. You cannot see, smell or taste lead, and boiling your water will not get rid of lead.
If you work with lead, you could bring it home on your hands or clothes. Shower and change clothes before coming home. Launder your work clothes separately from the rest of your family's clothes.
Old painted toys and furniture.
Food and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain. Food can become contaminated because lead can leach in from these containers.
Lead smelters or other industries that release lead into the air.
Hobbies that use lead, such as making pottery or stained glass, or refinishing furniture.
Folk remedies that contain lead, such as "greta" and "azarcon" used to treat an upset stomach.
What are some of the Health Effects of Lead Poisoning?
If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from:
Damage to the brain and nervous system
Behavior and learning problems, such as hyperactivity
Slowed growth
Hearing problems
Headaches
Lead is also harmful to adults. Adults can suffer from:
Reproductive problems (in both men and women)
High blood pressure and hypertension
Nerve disorders
Memory and concentration problems
Muscle and joint pain
http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadinfo.htm#health
What is the most significant source of childhood lead exposure in a residence?
The scientific literature suggests that nationally lead-contaminated paint dust is the most significant source of childhood lead exposure. Lead dust comes from deteriorating lead-based paint and lead-contaminated soil that gets tracked into your home. This dust may accumulate to unsafe levels. Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can also create hazardous lead dust. People, especially children, can swallow lead dust as they eat, play, and do other normal hand-to-mouth activities.
How do I know if my house has lead-based paint?
Older homes, child care facilities, and schools are more likely to contain lead-based paint. Homes that contain lead-based paint may be single-family homes or apartments. They may be private, government-assisted, or public housing. They may be urban, suburban, or rural.
You have the following options: You may decide to assume your home contains lead. Especially in older homes and buildings, this is the simplest and safest approach. For example, 87% of homes built before 1940 have some lead-based paint, while 24% of homes built between 1960 and 1978 have some lead-based paint. You may also test for lead using a lead test kit. Test kits should be recognized by EPA (see http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/kits.htm) and are available at hardware stores. They include detailed instructions for their use. You can hire a certified professional to check for lead-based paint. These professionals are certified risk assessors or inspectors, and can determine if your home has lead or lead hazards.
- A certified inspector or risk assessor can conduct an inspection to determine whether your home or a portion of your home, has lead-based paint and where it is located. This will tell you the areas in your home where lead-safe work practices should be used for renovation, repair, or painting jobs.
- A certified risk assessor can conduct a risk assessment telling you if your home currently has any lead hazards from lead in paint, dust, or soil. The risk assessor can also tell you what actions to take to address any hazards.
- For help finding a certified risk assessor or inspector, call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323).
What information can I get about lead-based paint in a home before I buy or rent it?
Many houses and apartments built before 1978 have some lead-based paint. Lead from paint, chips, and dust can pose serious health hazards if not taken care of properly. Federal law requires that individuals receive certain information before renting or buying pre-1978 housing. Sellers and landlords must: -
- Disclose information on known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards in the housing being sold or rented;
- Provide buyers and renters with any available records or reports pertaining to lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards in the housing; and
- Provide buyers and renters with a copy of the pamphlet entitled Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home. Click Link for Pamphlet. http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadpdfe.pdf In addition, sellers must give potential buyers an opportunity to check the home for lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards. To learn more about the lead disclosure rule (Section 1018) visit http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadbase.htm
How does a firm or renovator document or confirm the age of the structure? Is a signed statement by the occupant sufficient? Can publicly available information such as tax records, etc. be sufficient?
The property owner is likely to be a good source of information on the age of a home or other building. However, under the final Renovation, Repair and Painting rule, renovation firms are responsible for making this determination-they may not rely on the statement of the property owner as to the construction date of the building if there is evidence to the contrary. If in doubt, renovation firms can use tax assessments, property records, and similar information to determine the date of construction. Finally, the renovation firm may always assume that a home or child-occupied facility was constructed before 1978.
How can I find a trained renovator to do work in my home?
After April 22, 2010, all renovators will be required to be trained in lead-safe renovation work practices. Contact the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD for a list of contractors in your area.
ServiceMaster Anytime is an EPA Lead Safe Certified Firm.
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