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Are You a Weekend Renovator?

Published:6/10/2016
Categories:
Lead in the News
EPA
Public Health
State of NH
Manchester

See more tips from the good folks at Conservation Law Foundation

Painting or Renovating? Keep Your Family Safe from the Hazards of Lead

"Before hiring that next contractor, be sure to ask: Are you certified by the EPA as a Lead-Safe contractor, and will the people working on this project be following lead-safe practices? If the response to this question is no, or otherwise fails to inspire confidence, find a new contractor – one who has been certified under EPA’s Renovation, Repair, and Painting program. And don’t hesitate to ask to see your contractor’s certificate, as they are supposed to have it with them at all times. Find a Lead-Safe Certified contractor in your area.

Do-It-Yourselfers – Protecting Your Family’s Health

Of course, because the EPA’s program only applies to contractors, it fails to address one of the most significant sources of exposure – us “weekend warriors” who take on projects on our own.

Fortunately, the New England Lead Coordinating Committee has prepared a helpful guide for do-it-yourselfers that makes clear the importance of preparing, containing, and properly cleaning up work sites to prevent the spread of lead dust and chips. It also highlights unsafe practices to avoid at all costs (such as dry sanding, scraping, and sand-blasting) and safe ones to follow. You can also view a good video on the topic here.

When it comes to childhood lead poisoning and its lifelong effects on kids, prevention is key. So while lead-safe practices may add to the time and complexity of your project, considering what’s at stake, following such practices, or better yet hiring a Lead-Safe Certified contractor, is the only way to go."