Deconstruction and New Lead Regulations

It's the Law! New Lead Paint Regulation
Beginning April 22, 2010, federal law requires all houses, childcare facilities and schools built prior to 1978 to have certified contractors follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. If you are contacting for deconstruction services or remodelers/contractors to work on your house, childcare facility or school built before 1978, they must be EPA certified. Read below to find out more about this issue.

Lead Paint Q&A
Q. Why is lead paint so dangerous?
A. It's the lead particles that are dangerous. If the lead paint is disturbed and/or removed, airborne particles will cover adjacent surfaces and can potentially be ingested or inhaled. In young children this can cause long-term damage to the brain and nervous system. Learning problems such as hyperactivity, slowed growth, hearing problems and headaches are also possible effects. In adults, inhalation and/or consumption of lead from paint can cause difficulties during pregnancy, high blood pressure, digestive problems, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems and muscle and joint pain.

Q. What is the new EPA Law?
A. In summary, the law states that all renovators, deconstruction, and maintenance professionals that work in housing, childcare facilities and schools built prior to 1978 that are removing or disturbing more than six square feet of lead-based paint in a room or twenty square feet on the exterior must be trained and certified in the handling, clean up and disposal of these materials.

Q. Why is the EPA enacting this law now?
A. EPA has been working on a comprehensive plan to protect children from lead poisoning for many years. In 2006 a goal was set to complete the language and certification requirements for the public by 2010.

Q. Who does this new EPA lead paint law affect?
A. The rule applies to renovators, deconstruction, and maintenance professionals that work in housing, childcare facilities and schools built prior to 1978.

Q. Does DeConstruction Services, LLC have to be certified?
A. Every contractor that disturbs or removes more than six square feet of lead-based paint in a room or twenty square feet of exterior materials needs to be certified. This includes subcontractors, such as DeConstruction Services, LLC, which has received their EPA Certification as a Lead-Safe a contractor in March 2010.

Q. What does certification mean?
A. There are two types of certification. First, all contractor companies must register with the EPA and certify that they will use appropriate practices with properly trained individuals when doing work in pre-1978 homes. The "lead-safe" designation on our Home Page confirms that DeConstruction Services, LLC has obtained this EPA certification. All our on-site supervisors for renovation jobs also are certified in using lead-safe practices and have completed an EPA-approved training program (including passing an exam) on how to handle and remove lead paint covered materials from your house during the deconstruction phase of the remodeling project.

Q. How do I know if DeConstruction Services, LLC is certified?
A. The company and any trained individuals must be able to produce certificates issued by the EPA indicating their certification. We also are required to give you an EPA pamphlet called "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home."

Q. Even if a contractor is certified, how do I know if he is following EPA guidelines?
A. Before any work has begun, the contractor is required to give you an EPA pamphlet called "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home." The pamphlet contains good introductory information for all consumers. Every certified lead renovator/company must test the job site at the end of the project by wiping windowsills, uncarpeted floors and counter tops with a disposable cleaning cloth. This cloth must meet the EPA visual inspection standards for safety and must be saved as part of the project documentation process and checklist. The homeowner will be able to review this cloth and checklist to ensure that the work was performed properly.

Q. Will these additional procedures add to the cost of my project(s)?
A. This will most likely increase the cost. But when you consider the potential health hazards of not properly containing and cleaning up lead, the costs can't compare to the health ramifications associated with lead paint poisoning.

Q. Where can I get more information about this new lead paint law?
A. You may call DeConstruction Services, LLC at 703.280-1719, go to the EPA's web site at www.epa.gov/lead, or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s website at www.hud.gov/lea, or call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323).