Get The Lead out!

In April 2010 a new federal law will require contractors that disturb lead-based paint in homes built before 1978 to be certified in specific lead contamination practices. Additionally, all contractors will need to present to homeowners a pamphlet explaining lead removal information. Families looking to remodel older homes have always had to address the lead issue. Any contractor worth their weight will inform homeowners and take the appropriate precautions. This new law puts the responsibility on the contractor to educate homeowners and keep up with best practices for the removal of lead from the home during renovation. Of course, the more prepared homeowners are for a renovation, the smoother (and cheaper!) the process will be. The issue of lead in older homes is a real concern and one that warrants serious discussion.

According to the EPA, the chance of your home containing lead-based paint is:
• 24% if your home was built between 1960-1978
• 69% if your home was built between 1940-1960
• 87% if your home was built before 1940

If you are not sure whether your home has lead-based paint, you have several options before starting a home remodel project. The first option is to assume that your home does have lead-based paint and follow the precautions listed below. There is no harm in following the precautions and any good contractor will err on the side of caution anyway. Another option would be to have your contractor test for lead in your home using a lead test kit. These kits are easily available at hardware stores. Or, your third option would be to hire a certified professional to check for lead-based paint. This assessor will tell you if and where your home has lead-based paint.

Lead-based paint was used in more than 38 million homes until it was banned for residential use in 1978. The most common way people are exposed to lead is through dust. You can also get lead into your body from soil, paint chips, water, and household items like lead-glazed pottery or lead crystal. Lead dust, however, is usually invisible making it a particularly elusive danger. Lead gets into the body when it is swallowed or inhaled. You can swallow dust when you eat, play, or do normal hand-to-mouth activities. You can inhale lead if you breathe lead dust or fumes from lead-based paint. This is the most common way that lead gets into the body. Whenever lead-based paint is sanded, scraped, burned, brushed, blasted, or otherwise disturbed, you are at risk for exposure to lead. Projects that disturb lead-based paint, like cutting or demolition, can create dust and endanger your family, particularly small children under six years old.

In children, lead can affect children’s brains and nervous systems, causing reduced IQ, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. Even children that appear healthy can have dangerous levels of lead in their bodies. In adults, lead can cause high blood pressure and hypertension. Pregnant women exposed to lead can transfer the lead to their fetus.


Unfortunately, if a contractor is not aware of the risks associated with lead removal, this could spell potential health hazards for your family. As a homeowner you can take these precautions to protect your family from lead exposure during a remodel:

• Ask if the contractor is trained to perform lead-safe work practices and ask to see a copy of their training certificate.
• Ask your contractor what lead-safe methods they will use to perform the remodel.
• Share the results of any lead tests with the contractor.
• Specify in the work contract that the contractor follow the lead removal practices described below.
• Specify in the contract that the contractor take responsibility for cleaning the work area adequately.

The following precautions are recommended by the EPA and HUD to reduce exposure to lead dust during a remodel:

• The work areas should not be accessible to occupants while the work occurs. The rooms or area should be blocked off or sealed with plastic sheeting to contain the dust. The area cannot be accessed until work is completed and thoroughly cleaned.
• You should arrange for alternate bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen arrangements if work is occurring in those areas of your home. Or, you may consider vacating your home while the work is being done.
• You should secure a safe place for pets as they, too, can be poisoned by lead and can track dust into other areas of the home.
• Store furniture away from the area where the work is being done. If furniture cannot be moved, then wrap it in heavy plastic.
• Turn off air heating and air conditioning systems while work is done. This will prevent the dust from spreading through the air vents.
• Minimize the creation of dust by avoiding paint removal methods requiring burning, sanding, grinding, or blasting.
• Ensure that the work area is cleaned up daily using a HEPA vacuum and a wet mop.
• Once the work is complete, you can verify that the work area is free of lead by using a cleaning verification card (available at the EPA website listed below) or by having a professional lead test done. Either way, specify in the contract that the contractor is responsible for re-cleaning the work area if it fails the test.

Here are some additional resources to help you with lead related issues:
The National Lead Information Center: www.epa.gov/lead/nlic.htm

EPA Regional Office for Tennessee: (404) 562-9900

As with most home remodel issues, the more educated you are before you begin, the less likely it is that you will be surprised. Lead is a health concern that will be present in home remodels for quite some time. Luckily with the right precautions and a good choice of contractor, you can save yourself and your family any health-related stress.


Source: Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools. Published by the U.S. Environmental Protections Agency and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.