This web page has a variety of topics involved covering the new Lead Law. RRP is the acronym for Repair, Renovate and Paint. Please contact the EPA for comprehensive discussions on these topics.

Beginning April 22, 2010, federal law requires that contractors and maintenance professionals performing repairs, renovations, and repainting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child-care facilities and schools built before 1978 be certified. Contractors must complete an 8 hour RRP training course from an accredited training provider. From the simplest thing such as sanding, cutting or outright demolition, this can create hazardous lead dust and chips, even in the smallest amounts, are dangerous to children. Professionals must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. For further information, call the EPA's hotline at 1.800.424.5323. You may also visit www.2010leadlaw.com or the EPA's website.

On July 6, 2010 the EPA issued a press release regarding a new rule that removes a provision from existing regulations that allowed owner-occupants of pre-1978 homes to “opt-out” of having their contractors follow lead-safe work practices if there were no children under six years of age in the home. The reason being that adults exposed to lead hazards can suffer head aches and high blood pressure. The EPA eliminated the Opt-Out provision because improper renovations in older homes can create lead hazards resulting in harmful health results for visitors and residents alike in the home- no matter what their age. 

In a press release dated 07/06/2010, the EPA announced that it is providing renovation firms and workers additional time to obtain training and certifications to comply with the new lead rules. They will not take enforcement action for violations of the rule’s firm certification requirement until October 1, 2010. Additionally, the EPA will not enforce certification requirements against individual renovation workers if they apply to enroll in certified renovator classes by September 30, 2010 and complete the training by December 31, 2010.

it is noted that the agency will continue to take enforcement actions against renovation firms and individuals who do not comply with the RRP work practices and associated record keeping requirements.  The bottom line is, the EPA wants to protect families, children and the contractors themselves when dealing with lead based paint.

Abatement means any measure of set of measures designed to permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards. Abatement includes the removal of lead-contaminated dust and lead-based paint. Abatement is the permanent encapsulation of lead-based paint or the permanent enclosure of such paint.  Abatement  includes the replacement of lead-painted surfaces, and the removal of lead contaminated soil.  It includes all the prep work, cleanup, disposal and post-abatement testing to insure all the lead-based paint/ dust was removed.  Abatement does not include renovation, landscaping, remodeling or activities that are not designed to permanently remove and eliminate lead-based paint hazards. 

Inspection on the other hand means surface-by-surface investigation to determine the presence of lead-based paint. It also includes the report explaining the result of the investigation.

Risk assessment is an on-site investigation to determine the existence, severity, nature and location of lead-based paint hazards. The individual or firm conducting the risk assessment explains the results and options for reducing the lead-based paint hazards.

A contractor, painter, renovator, or remodeling professional needs to:

1.  Contain the work area:  It is essential that dust, particles, chips or debris does not leave the area where the work is being performed. Warning signs should be posted to keep people away during the time the work is being done.  Plastic sheeting should be utilized to cover the floors, carpets, furniture, doors, vents, windows, etc. A contractor can seal off the room from the rest of the home/school if need be with the appropriate equipment. The goal is to contain the dust and debris to the containment area for removal.

2.  Minimize the dust: Unfortunately there is not way to eliminate the dust. There are some methods that make containing the dust easier than others. Using a fine mist of water to moisten the area before sanding or scraping; scoring paint before separating components, and pulling the components apart instead of breaking them is a few ways to reduce the amount of dust that will be generated.

3.  Clean up thoroughly:  Daily, the area must be cleaned up to keep it as clean as possible. At the end of the job, the area should be cleaned using special cleaning methods. This should all be done before the plastic sheeting is removed. The clean up methods include using a HEPA vacuum to clean up the debris and dust. This should be followed by wet mopping. The area should be rinsed several times.

A final inspection should be made at the end to insure that no paint chips, dust or debris is left behind.  Please call the EPA at 1.800.424.5323 for complete instructions and further information.

Some states have stricter requirements than the EPA. The Regulations vary from state to state for lead dust containment. If your state's regulations are stricter than the EPA requirements, then the professional must follow the state's regulations. If you are unclear, please contact the Appropriate EPA regional mamager or the state agency.

Occupants who live in a property that will be having lead-based paint renovation need to make arrangements and be prepared for what is going to be done.  The rooms or areas where work is going to be done needs to be block off with plastic sheeting. If this room is a bedroom, kitchen or bathroom, the occupant needs to anticipate not having access to this room until the work is completed.  Arrangements need to be made for all pets as well. They too can be poisoned by lead and can track the dust into other parts of the dwelling.  Tacky doormats can trap dust from shoes and contain it.

Ideally a separate pathway can be used by the contractor to bring his/her work materials in and out of the home that is separate from the occupant's use. 

All furniture and belongings may have to be moved from the work area, to avoid being contaminated with lead dust and debris.  If they can't be moved, then they should be wrapped in heavy duty plastic sheeting.

Remind occupants to turn off air conditioning and heating while the work is being done. The lead based paint dust can travel through duct work, if the ducts are not properly sealed off.

The job will go much more smoothly when the occupants fully understand what needs to be done and why.

Don't forget, you can get more information by calling the EPA at 800-424-5323 for more tips and information.

For more information on who to call to learn more, here are the topics and telephone numbers.

Testing ceramic ware and related items:  FDA Food Information Line-1-800-FDA 4010

Information on Lead in Mini-blinds-Consumer Product Safety Commission-1-800-632-2772

Current List of NLLAP laboratories- National Lead Information Center- 1-800-424-LEAD

Information on Testing Drinking Water For Lead- EPA Drinking Water Hotline-1-800-426-4791

Also visit www.2010leadlaw.com

If you are paid to perform work that disturbs paint in housing and child-occupied facilities built before 1978, this may include:

• General Contractors
• Residential rental property managers/owners
• Special trade contractors, including painters, plumbers, carpenters, electricians

Any activity that disturbs paint in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities. The following activities included are:

• Plumbing
• Electrical work
• Window replacement
• Carpentry
• Remodeling and Repair/maintenance
• Painting 

*The information contained in this web site is for general guidance only and Global Plastic Sheeting^® Inc advises and encourages you to review the state and Federal guidelines directly to confirm the completeness, accuracy and timeliness of the information presented herein. While we have made every attempt to ensure that the information contained in this site has been obtained from reliable sources,Global Plastic Sheeting ^® Inc is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information in this site is provided "as is," with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, or timeliness. In no event will Global Plastic Sheeting^® Inc, or its employees, be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information presented in this site or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.