News_Lead_Based

If you’re not aware of the potential dangers of lead-based paint and the new law regulating the remodeling industry, it’s time for a quick tutorial.

The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defined lead poisoning as the No. 1 environmental threat to the health of children in this country.

That was in 1991.

On April 22, 2010, a new law instituted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) goes into effect, mandating that remodelers working in homes built prior to 1978 not only test for lead but also be certified to work in areas of the home, utilizing safe lead-removal practices.

Heavily leaded paint was used in most homes built before the 1950s, with decreased levels used until 1977. Almost three-quarters of homes in the U.S. built through the late 1970s contain some lead-based paint, lead-glazed ceramic tiles and naturally occurring dust as surfaces treated with lead-based products wear and disintegrate over time. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of lead-based paint in residential housing in 1978.

Even low levels of lead in children who have ingested lead dust can result in compromised mental and physical development such as learning disorders, behavioral problems and reduced attention span. Lead can affect pregnant women and plague adults with irritability, poor muscle coordination, major organ damage and increased blood pressure.