Lead Paint Safety: New Rules for Old Homes in Iowa

On April 22, 2010, new rules take effect governing contractors who work on older Iowa homes. These rules are designed to help protect families by informing them about lead paint and minimizing creation of lead hazards.

Lead Paint

Historically, lead was added to paint to improve durability, enhance colors, and resist mildew. Though lead was banned as a residential paint additive in 1978, most homes built before the restriction took effect still contain lead paint. Fortunately, lead paint is not considered a hazard if maintained in good condition without chipping, weathering, impact, or friction deterioration. Proper maintenance of lead paint along with regular cleaning can drastically reduce the potential for lead to make its way into our bodies.

Lead and Renovation

Renovation and home repair activities can disturb paint. When lead paint in older homes is disturbed during renovation without proper precautions, it can create a hazard, even where none existed before.

It doesn’t take a whole lot of lead dust to contaminate a room or house. The new rules cover any renovation or repair work performed by contractors that disturbs more than one square foot of painted surface in homes built before 1978. Some examples of covered work include:

Removing or repairing painted items like trim, windows, and doors
Repairing or repainting siding and soffits
Removing or repairing painted plaster

Owners working on their own homes are not covered by the rule. However, it is strongly recommended that homeowners follow lead-safe work practices.

In most cases, contractors working in homes built before 1978 will be required to take the following actions as part of each project:

Maintain required certifications and training
Perform the required occupant notifications
Post signs warning occupants not to enter the work area
Fully contain dust and debris in the work area
Transport and store waste material safely
Avoid prohibited work practices like sanding painted surfaces
Clean the work area and verify cleaning
Maintain complete project records

Five Questions to Ask Your Contractor

While the contractor is legally responsible for compliance, it is also important that anyone living in an older home understand the requirements. Below are five questions you can use to assess a potential contractor’s compliance with the renovation rules.

What is your general approach to lead safety?
Have you passed a state-approved lead-safe renovator course?
Have all the workers who will be on my project received the required on-the-job training?
What is your plan for containing dust in the work area?
What is your plan for removing and disposing of worksite debris?

Contractors are required to keep training certificates on each job site. During the project, you can ask to see proof that each person has been properly trained.

Be an informed consumer and keep yourself and your family safe from lead poisoning!

Lead Paint Safety: New Rules for Old Homes in Iowa

Lead Paint

Lead and Renovation

Five Questions to Ask Your Contractor

Further Reading