Keep Your Home Lead-Safe

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is making homeowners aware of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) regulations that will take effect April 22, 2010, requiring remodelers working in homes built before 1978 to follow practices designed to minimize the exposure of residents to lead hazards.

The following is a checklist for homeowners living in pre-1978 homes:

• Verify that your contractor’s firm is registered with the EPA.
• Verify at least one person is a Certified Renovator and has documented the training of the work crew and is supervising the work being completed in the home.
• Know that these certifications are accessible at the work site at all times.
• Firms must post signs before renovation begins, clearly defining the work area and warning occupants and other persons not involved in renovation activities to remain outside of the work area.
• Make sure you understand and sign the EPA’s “Renovate Right” brochure.
• Remove all belongings from the immediate area of the renovation.
• Notice if your contractor is using plastic sheeting that is taped 6 feet beyond the perimeter of surfaces undergoing renovation; reusable cloth coverings are not acceptable.
• Renovators should be cleaning up and mopping daily to minimize dust contamination.
• Contractors must use HEPA vacuums and/or wet mopping to remove lead particles.
• Depending on the scope of project, renovators may be wearing disposable suits, to minimize their exposure to lead.
• All contaminated materials should be placed in heavy duty plastic bags before your contractor disposes of them.

As a homeowner, if your renovator is skipping any steps of the checklist, you may want to contact the EPA to file an official complaint. Contractors who fail to comply with the RRP rule, are eligible for a fine of $37,500 per day.