Lead Paint Learning Center
If your home was built before 1978 it may contain lead-based paint. Any renovation work, either interior or exterior, could disturb the lead-based paint, which has been proven to be harmful to children.
To help resolve this problem, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued new regulations for contractors who work in homes built before 1978. The EPA has issued a mandate that all contractors receive proper training on how to safely work in homes that may have lead-based paint in them.
If you have been thinking about doing a home renovation it is important for you to make sure that your contractor is certified by the EPA to work in an environment with lead-based paint. The contractor must take a course and pass an exam to be certified, or be supervised by someone who is certified in order to do the work.
Under the new regulation, workers will be required to undergo an 8-hour training process about how to safely work with and dispose of lead paints. This extends to window and siding installers as well.
In addition, contractors who perform renovation, repairs, and painting jobs in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities must, before beginning work, provide the homeowner with a copy of EPA’s lead hazard information pamphlet, “Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers, and Schools.”
WE ARE LEAD PAINT CERTIFIED!
Certified Siding Professionals has completed the required courses and has been certified by the EPA to work on houses built before 1978. You can rest assured that we will follow the guidelines and requirements for the safe removal, handling and disposal of any lead-based paint we discover in your home.
Health effects of lead
Childhood lead poisoning remains a major environmental health problem in the United States.
People can get lead in their body if they:
* Put their hands or other objects covered with lead dust in their mouths.
* Eat paint chips or soil that contains lead.
* Breathe in lead dust, especially during renovations that disturb painted surfaces.
Lead is more dangerous to children because:
* Babies and young children often put their hands and other objects in their mouths. These objects can have lead dust on them.
* Children’s growing bodies absorb more lead.
* Children’s brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.
If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from:
* Damage to the brain and nervous system
* Behavior and learning problems, such as hyperactivity
* Slowed growth
* Hearing problems
* Headaches
Lead is also harmful to adults. Adults can suffer from:
* Reproductive problems (in both men and women)
* High blood pressure and hypertension
* Nerve disorders
* Memory and concentration problems
* Muscle and joint pain
What does it mean to be a Lead-Safe Certified firm?
As a contractor, we play an important role in helping to prevent lead exposure. Ordinary renovation and maintenance activities can create dust that contains lead. By following the lead-safe work practices, we can prevent lead hazards.
We are conscious of lead-safe work practices and follow these three simple procedures:
* Contain the work area.
* Minimize dust.
* Clean up thoroughly.
Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children.
Certified Siding Professionals cares about your safety as well as of our workers. We are confident that we will follow the procedures necessary to keep both your home and our workers safe from lead exposure.
GET A FREE ESTIMATE!
Find out how we can make your home safer, warmer and more valuable with James Hardie Siding. Call Certified Siding Professionals at (402) 680-7946 for a FREE in-home evaluation and estimate.
