Lead Safety

Lead Paint Safety: New Rules for Old Homes in Iowa

RenovateDSM — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:04:06 -0700

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

Lead Safe Homes - Renovation Assistance

RenovateDSM — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:46:12 -0800

Assistance is now available to reduce or eliminate lead hazards in housing for income-eligible qualified applicants through the Metropolitan Partnership for Lead Safe Housing program. This means that you can get help paying to repair or replace windows, siding, and other painted surfaces.

Homes selected for assistance must be privately ownedand constructed prior to 1978. Both homeowners and landlords in Polk and Dallas counties can apply to the program. There are limited funds in this program so act now to be sure that your home gets fixed.

"Don't Spread Lead" Video

RenovateDSM — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:37:23 -0700

Practical "How To" video on lead safe work practices (with an intro by This Old House's Norm Abrams).

Part 1:

Part 2:

Lead-Safe Work Practices Demonstration - Railing Repair

RenovateDSM — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 19:34:41 -0700

As part of my children's (ages 5 and 3) exploration of the physical world around them, they kicked out several balusters in our front porch railing. They also got a lesson in truth and consequences.

I got a Weekend Project.

Renovate Right - EPA Lead Paint Regulation

RenovateDSM — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:35:34 -0700

Note: Iowa has received approval from the EPA to administer this rule at the State level. See THIS ARTICLE for updated information specific to Iowa

Starting on April 22, 2010, every contractor who works on a house built before 1978 or any "child-occupied facility" where work will disturb lead based paint, must have successfully completed a certified renovator course delivered by an EPA-accredited trainer. In addition every firm involved in renovation in target housing must be registered with the EPA. This rule applies, with a few exceptions, to all renovations performed for compensation in target housing and child-occupied facilities. A home owner working on his or her specific owner-occupied housing unit is exempt from the rule, though it is of course strongly recommended that lead-safe work practices be followed.

In a nutshell - covered by the rule is any renovation where the work area will disturb either 1 square foot of painted surface. This includes, but is not limited to:

Window replacement or repair
Door replacement or repair
Gutters
Trim
Cabinets
Blown-in Insulation
Siding/soffits
Painting/stripping
Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC (if walls are disturbed)
Floor sanding
Demolition

IDED Lead Professional Training Reimbursement Available for Disaster Recovery

RenovateDSM — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:05:44 -0800

On January 27, 2009, the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) announced a new Lead Professional Training scholarship program.

IDED recognizes that Iowa has a shortage of trained and certified lead contractors, workers, and inspectors primarily in the realm of lead abatement. Due to the impact of Iowa's 2008 disasters, this problem is compounded. In order to build the capacity and meet the demand for these services, IDED will immediately implement this program.

The parameters of the program are:

Polk County Lead Based Paint Flyers

RenovateDSM — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:24:14 -0700

The Polk County Health Department has testing and remediation programs available, with a focus on families with young children. These fliers give more information on the programs and who to contact. The Polk County Lead Program is dedicated to the prevention of childhood lead poisoning by reducing lead paint hazards and increasing awareness about the dangers posed by lead.

In accordance with a new state law, children are required to be tested for elevated blood levels of lead prior to entering school.

The test is the only way to know if your child is lead poisoned.

read more

Lead-Safe Cleaning Practices

RenovateDSM — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 12:40:06 -0800

Congratulations, you have gone to heroic lengths to minimize creation of dust and paint chips during demolition and construction. But, you're not done yet! A thorough final cleaning is one of the most important steps when working in a home with lead-based paint. Here are the steps to follow for the final clean (source: Lead Paint Safety: A Field Guide for Painting, Home Maintenance and Renovation work – US Department of Housing and Urban Development).

Pick Up Work Area
- Pick up large chips with a damp paper towel.
  
  read more

Lead Paint Safety Field Guide

RenovateDSM — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 09:45:24 -0800

This field guide gives sound and practical advice for minimizing lead-based paint exposure hazards during demolition and construction.

Lead-Safe Gardening

RenovateDSM — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 12:50:20 -0800

Lead paint from deteriorated siding, windows, and trim can contaminate soil. Lead doesn't disappear, so it is not safe to assume that soil near a pre-1978 home is lead free, even if the exterior paint is currently in good condition.

Polk County published several tips to help gardeners stay lead safe.

Garden well away from old buildings where deteriorated lead paint has fallen, and away from heavily traveled roadways, where lead from gasoline may have settled.

read more

Lead-Based Paint

RenovateDSM — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 12:47:42 -0800

Prior to being banned as a paint additive in 1978, lead was manufactured into paint for four primary reasons: pigmentation, durability, corrosion resistance, and as a mold inhibitor. Lead can also be found in primers, stains, varnishes, and shellacs.

What is a Hazard?

Not all lead-based paint is classified as a hazard.

Lead-Safe Work Practices

RenovateDSM — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 11:56:01 -0800

Lead safe work practices are a critical piece of maintaining a healthy home. Homeowners and contractors alike must take responsibility for minimizing the risk of lead poisoning to people who live in and work on the home.

Iowa ranks 5th in the nation on percentage of homes constructed prior to 1950. Twenty-seven percent of the homes in Polk County were built prior to 1950, and of those, virtually of them will contain lead based paint.
Adults can become lead poisoned. Adults can carry lead dust home on their clothes after working on buildings with lead based paint, leading to high blood levels in their family members.
Among the 1999 birth cohort, 6.8% of Iowa children tested had blood levels of greater than 10ul/dL, the national cutoff for "Elevated Blood Level".
Lead poisoning is not necessarily acute, but can be a chronic disease with few recognizable symptoms. Adult symptoms include headaches, poor appetite, sleeplessness, nausea, bowel irritation, and tremors.
Lead can be found in many circumstances including interior paint, exterior paint, varnish, pipes, toys, lead-glazed pottery, jewelry, hobbies (fishing sinkers, casting, stained glass), and some folk remedies.
There are practical steps contractors and homeowners can take to minimize exposure to lead based paint chips and dust. This online "mini-book" will discuss the currently accepted lead-safe work practices, but will not serve as a substitute for attending a class taught by a qualified professional.
There are federal and state notification requirements that contractors MUST follow when they are working on pre-1978 housing. If you don't follow these requirements, you risk fines.
In the absence of a lead risk assessment by a qualified professional, you should assume that ALL paint in pre-1978 homes is lead based. Not all store-bought chemical test kits are not considered reliable by the EPA or HUD, and as of February, 2009, none are considered reliable for testing paint on plaster and drywall.