Lead Paint, Our Bodies, Our Homes
Guild Member Robert Dufort explains why lead is such a hot topic for period building owners:
Guild Member Robert Dufort explains why lead is such a hot topic for period building owners:
The presence of lead paint in older homes is a common problem. According to EPA studies, 69% of homes built before 1960 contain lead. Among homes built before 1940 that figure jumps to a whopping 87%!
Lead is a serious health and safety issue. Our bodies have zero use for lead, and we can only tolerate it in minimal amounts without negative effects to our health. In children the consequences of lead exposure are more severe and more likely to be permanent.
Many older homes already contain some level of lead contamination created by friction points (e.g. the movement of doors and windows) and deteriorated paint. Furthermore, virtually all construction activities also have the potential to create lead paint dust - it is not just paint prep that disturbs lead containing surfaces!
EPA-RRP Certifications, Regulations, and More...
There are numerous regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over lead paint contamination, including the EPA, OSHA, and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). San Francisco even has its own local ordinances, as do other municipalities.
The EPA, in yet another attempt to inform contractors and homeowners of lead hazards and safe methods of mitigating "lead pollution", created the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (RRP). Effective April, 2010, it mandated the certification of all contractors who work in pre-1978 housing and childcare facilities.
Any contractor who disturbs old lead paint must be EPA-RRP certified themselves, and only hire RRP certified subs. Additionally, painting contractors who work on older residences should also be certified by the CDPH Childhood Lead Division.
Obviously, certification is only half the battle. Implementing the regulations is certainly the more important aspect. And for that, one needs concerned employers, trained employees, and informed owners, general contractors, architects, and designers.
Lead is a serious health and safety issue. Our bodies have zero use for lead, and we can only tolerate it in minimal amounts without negative effects to our health. In children the consequences of lead exposure are more severe and more likely to be permanent.
Many older homes already contain some level of lead contamination created by friction points (e.g. the movement of doors and windows) and deteriorated paint. Furthermore, virtually all construction activities also have the potential to create lead paint dust - it is not just paint prep that disturbs lead containing surfaces!
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| Magic Brush's trained crew removing old paint- note the fashionable safety gear |
EPA-RRP Certifications, Regulations, and More...
There are numerous regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over lead paint contamination, including the EPA, OSHA, and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). San Francisco even has its own local ordinances, as do other municipalities.
The EPA, in yet another attempt to inform contractors and homeowners of lead hazards and safe methods of mitigating "lead pollution", created the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (RRP). Effective April, 2010, it mandated the certification of all contractors who work in pre-1978 housing and childcare facilities.
Any contractor who disturbs old lead paint must be EPA-RRP certified themselves, and only hire RRP certified subs. Additionally, painting contractors who work on older residences should also be certified by the CDPH Childhood Lead Division.
Obviously, certification is only half the battle. Implementing the regulations is certainly the more important aspect. And for that, one needs concerned employers, trained employees, and informed owners, general contractors, architects, and designers.
About Robert Dufort:
Robert Dufort founded his company Magic Brush, Inc. in 1976.
One of their specialties then (as now) was the "Painting Restoration" of Victorian facades, which often included stripping old lead paint. In the "good ole days" this meant using propane torches to "burn" the paint off the building (without burning down the building, of course.) Back then, we had virtually no knowledge of the hazards of disturbing lead paint. Gradually, our growing awareness of the issues demanded we take corresponding action.
In 1998, Robert completed the requirements for California Department of Public Health Certification to become a Lead Paint Supervisor, and in 2010 he passed the state Lead Risk Assessor exam, and is now known as Inspector #3894.
One of their specialties then (as now) was the "Painting Restoration" of Victorian facades, which often included stripping old lead paint. In the "good ole days" this meant using propane torches to "burn" the paint off the building (without burning down the building, of course.) Back then, we had virtually no knowledge of the hazards of disturbing lead paint. Gradually, our growing awareness of the issues demanded we take corresponding action.
In 1998, Robert completed the requirements for California Department of Public Health Certification to become a Lead Paint Supervisor, and in 2010 he passed the state Lead Risk Assessor exam, and is now known as Inspector #3894.
To read Robert's "Lead Essay", please visit: www.magicbrush.net/lead.html
