Lead Poisoning in Homes and the EPA Lead-Safe Certification
You thought lead poisoning in homes across America was eradicated decades ago, right? It’s okay if you did, as the Federal Lead Poisoning Prevention Act was passed in 1971, and the federal government totally banned consumer use of lead paint in 1978.
So what’s the issue, you may ask?
The answer: Construction of homes and other facilities built before 1978.
Many projects that contractors undertake involve structures built before the federal government banned the use of lead paint. As an experienced contractor with ongoing construction projects throughout the Chicagoland area, Reliable Home Improvement thinks it’s important to inform the public of multiple recent studies that have shown that children residing in homes under renovation or construction are 30% more likely to have an unsafe level of lead in their blood than kids in homes not under construction.
What is the EPA Lead-Safe Certification?
If any renovations, repairs, or painting projects in homes, pre-schools, or childcare facilities built before 1978 are being done, the firm completing the work must be certified by the EPA. The U.S. EPA has established requirements for firms and individuals performing renovations in which painted surfaces are affected. According to the EPA’s website, any activity that disturbs paint in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities is covered, including:
- Remodeling and repair/maintenance
- Electrical work
- Plumbing
- Painting preparation
- Carpentry
- Window replacement
The Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule establishes requirements for firms and individuals performing renovations, and affects contractors, property managers, and others who disturb painted surfaces. It applies to work in apartments, houses, and other child-occupied facilities (such as day-care centers and schools) built before 1978. Pre-renovation education requirements as well as training, firm certification, and work practice requirements are also part of the PRP.
It’s crucial that your contractor is qualified and, more importantly, certified by the U.S. EPA to complete any construction work on your building or home if it was built before 1978.
Reliable Home Improvement’s Commitment to Safety
As a veteran of the home improvement industry with a superior reputation, Reliable Home Improvement, founded in 1967, is certified by the EPA as a lead-safe company. Our experienced and trained staff adhere to all of construction industry best practices and we’re the premier Design/Build firm in the Chicagoland area, specializing in providing custom designed home additions, basement finishing, bathroom remodels, kitchen makeovers, and other construction projects.
At Reliable Home Improvement, we’re proud to be an EPA lead safe certified firm and we hope that regardless of who does your next construction project, if your home or building was built before 1978, it’s critical that the construction company you contract with adheres to all safety rules and regulations and is EPA certified. After all, it’s the health of your family that’s at stake!
Learn more about Reliable Home Improvement and our remodeling process.