Click here to download the newsletter in its entirety.
The rules regarding lead-based paint will change as of April 22, 2010. The new rules require that contractors performing work that disturbs lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Before beginning renovation, repair and/or painting projects that may involve lead-based paint, contractors performing the work must have EPA Certification.
Lead-based paint was used in more than 38 million homes before it was banned for residential use in 1978. Lead can affect childrens’ brains and developing nervous systems, causing reduced IQ, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. Lead is also harmful to adults, however, the greatest concern is to children under six years of age. Visible or invisible lead in dust is the most common way people are exposed to lead in homes. People can also get lead in their bodies from contaminated soil or paint chips. Lead-based paint was frequently used in wood framing for windows and doors. Small children may be exposed to the lead if they chew or gnaw on the wood framing.
Property owners have the ultimate responsibility for the safety of their family, tenants, or children in their care. As of April 22, 2010, they are responsible for ensuring that activities in pre-1978 housing that disturbs paint including remodeling and repair maintenance, electrical work, plumbing, painting, carpentry and window replacement is performed by an individual or firm that has been certified by the EPA. Certified Renovators are trained to use a test kit to determine if lead-based paint is present.
NOTE: The new law applies to anyone that is paid to perform work that disturbs paint in housing and child occupied facilities built before 1978 regardless at to whether they are a licensed contractor or not; therefore, it applies to unlicensed handymen.
NOTE: 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.
To become licensed as a Certified Renovator, an individual must successfully complete an eight-hour accreditation-training program. Once a firm has a Certified Renovator on their staff, the firm is approved for lead renovation work. Larger firms will likely have at least one staff member that is approved by the EPA. Smaller firms may find it more cost and time effective to hire a licensed subcontractor to conform to EPA requirements.
Hawaii is located in EPA Region Nine: Regional Lead Contact
U.S. Region Nine
75 Hawthorne St.
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 947-8021
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New Lead-Based Paint Requirements
Click here to download the newsletter in its entirety.
The rules regarding lead-based paint will change as of April 22, 2010. The new rules require that contractors performing work that disturbs lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Before beginning renovation, repair and/or painting projects that may involve lead-based paint, contractors performing the work must have EPA Certification.
Lead-based paint was used in more than 38 million homes before it was banned for residential use in 1978. Lead can affect childrens’ brains and developing nervous systems, causing reduced IQ, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. Lead is also harmful to adults, however, the greatest concern is to children under six years of age. Visible or invisible lead in dust is the most common way people are exposed to lead in homes. People can also get lead in their bodies from contaminated soil or paint chips. Lead-based paint was frequently used in wood framing for windows and doors. Small children may be exposed to the lead if they chew or gnaw on the wood framing.
Property owners have the ultimate responsibility for the safety of their family, tenants, or children in their care. As of April 22, 2010, they are responsible for ensuring that activities in pre-1978 housing that disturbs paint including remodeling and repair maintenance, electrical work, plumbing, painting, carpentry and window replacement is performed by an individual or firm that has been certified by the EPA. Certified Renovators are trained to use a test kit to determine if lead-based paint is present.
NOTE: The new law applies to anyone that is paid to perform work that disturbs paint in housing and child occupied facilities built before 1978 regardless at to whether they are a licensed contractor or not; therefore, it applies to unlicensed handymen.
NOTE: 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.
To become licensed as a Certified Renovator, an individual must successfully complete an eight-hour accreditation-training program. Once a firm has a Certified Renovator on their staff, the firm is approved for lead renovation work. Larger firms will likely have at least one staff member that is approved by the EPA. Smaller firms may find it more cost and time effective to hire a licensed subcontractor to conform to EPA requirements.
Hawaii is located in EPA Region Nine: Regional Lead Contact
U.S. Region Nine
75 Hawthorne St.
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 947-8021