Learn How to Protect Your Family from Lead Paint

CORE Remodeling Services would like to make homeowners aware that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations created a federal law called Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (RRP) which was passed in 2008 and went into effect on April 22, 2010 and was updated on July 15, 2011. This law was put into effect because lead can contribute to serious health problems and possibly even death.

Lead and lead containing dust is harmful especially to children and pregnant women. According to the EPA, lead can affect almost every organ and system in your body. In “Children six years old and younger they are most susceptible to the effects of lead. Even low levels of lead in the blood of children can result in behavior and learning problems, lower IQ and hyperactivity, slowed growth, hearing problems, anemia and in rare cases, ingestion of lead can cause seizures, coma and even death.”  In pregnant women lead can cause a reduction in growth of the fetus or premature birth. Other adults exposed to lead can suffer from cardiovascular effects, increased blood pressure, incidence of hypertension, decreased kidney function and reproductive problems (in both men and women).

In the RRP law the EPA called for all remodeling contractors who intend to work in pre-1978 homes and who might disturb painted surfaces to register their company and complete an 8-hour training "Lead Safe Work Practices" class and certification course with an accredited trainer. The initial course is good for five years and then contractors must renew with a refresher course prior to expiration.  The course teaches contractors how to safely contain lead in a home as it is being disturbed and reduce exposure to residents and workers.

CORE Remodeling Services wants homeowners to know how to protect themselves from harmful lead exposure during renovations. If you know your home was built before 1978 and your renovation will disturb painted surfaces you will have to hire an EPA Certified Firm such as CORE Remodeling Services. To learn more about the effects of lead click this link to EPA.GOV

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Corey Plourde, owner of CORE Remodeling Services adds that the current law requires that renovators give homeowners an EPA brochure called “Renovate Right,” which includes facts about lead and lead safety in the home and have it signed to signal that homeowners have been properly notified of the dangers. Click the link below to download the “Renovate Right” brochure.

Click This Link To Download

If owners of a pre-1978 home decide to remodel, it is important to assume lead is present unless testing is done to identify exactly where the lead is by using a lead test. When using a lead test it’s important to know that the EPA recognizes the following three lead test kits for use in complying with the RRP rule. They are the 3M™ LeadCheck™, D-Lead®, and the State of Massachusetts lead test kits. After having the lead test completed and if there is lead found in the home there practices also recognized by the EPA that can help to ensure work safety and your safety. Please make sure and discuss these with your certified renovation, repair and painting contractor.

Work Safe

All furniture, area rugs, curtains, food, clothing, and other household items need to be removed until cleanup is complete.
Items that cannot be removed from the work area should be tightly wrapped with plastic sheeting and sealed with tape.
Cover floors with plastic sheeting.
On a larger job, the contractor should construct an airlock at the entry to the work area. The airlock should consist of two sheets of thick plastic. One sheet is completely taped along all four edges. The plastic sheet is then cut down the middle. The second sheet is only taped along the top and acts as a flap covering the slit in the first sheet of plastic.
Turn off forced-air heating and air conditioning systems. Cover vents with plastic sheeting and tape the sheeting in place with tape.
Close all windows in the work area.
If disturbing paint, when using a hand tool, spray water on lead-painted surfaces to keep dust from spreading.

Using the Right Equipment

It is important that the contractor use the right equipment to protect you and your family from lead exposure.

NIOSH-certified disposable respirator with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters (N-100, R-100, or P-100).
HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner. Regular household vacuums may release harmful lead particles into the air.
Wet-sanding equipment (e.g., spray mister), wet/dry abrasive paper, and wet sanding sponges for "wet-methods."
Two buckets and all-purpose cleaner. One bucket for the cleaning solution and the other bucket for rinsing. The rinse water needs to be changed frequently and the rags, sponges, and mops need to be replaced often.
Heavy-duty plastic sheeting and heavy-duty plastic bags and tape to completely seal the plastic sheeting in place.
Protective clothing. To keep lead dust from being tracked throughout the home, wear clothes such as coveralls, shoe covers, hats, goggles, face shields and gloves or clean work clothes and launder separately.

As a lead-safe EPA certified firm, CORE Remodeling Servicesprovides all of the work safe procedures and we use the state of the art equipment to ensure the safety of you and your family. For more on why it’s extremely important for you to hire a lead-safe renovator read the EPA's guide “Renovate Right” brochure

Click This Link To Download

If a homeowner has any doubts about the quality of lead safe practices being conducted in their homes, call 1-800-424-LEAD. 

CORE Remodeling Servicesis one of the top remodeling companies in the Worcester County and Metro West area. We are a design and build firm that specializes in remodeling kitchens, bathrooms, basements, attics, deck building, window and door replacements and other home renovations. We are committed to developing long-term relationships with our customers. We will exceed expectations and gain your trust through superior performance by every member of our team. We pride ourselves on bringing professionalism to a trade that has a well-earned, poor reputation.

Registered Home Improvement Contractor-NARI Member – NARI Certified Member - Lead Safe Certified – OSHA Certified

Home Improvement Contractor #108631 – Constructions Supervisor License #108135 – Lead Safe Renovation License #001454-Fully Insured – Workman’s Comp and Liability