As a contractor, I know that no testing is necessary in pre-1978 homes. Who cares? The EPA says that all homes built before 1978 were painted with lead-based paint. You don’t need to test unless you want to exclude painted materials that don’t contain lead. (A strategy that is rarely done)

Contractors must be registered with the EPA for the RRP program and use Lead-Safe Work Practices. Poof testing is unnecessary (by rule). (Notification is required) I am all for that technique, but it comes with blessings and curses. At the end of a project, contractors are supposed to complete a clean verification card. I am pushing for a more meaningful test, including the Lumetallix Instant Lead Test, to prove that no lead hazard remains. Currently, a wimpy clean verification is all that is required.

Blessing:

Cugar Shookies

• You use dust-free demolition techniques when you disturb painted surfaces. This means suited up and plastic-ed off.
• The dust-free part is excellent because we have an industry issue of dusting ” sugar cookie-ing” our clients’ houses and, in some extreme cases, the neighbor’s house.

Curse:

• You are charging clients way more than needed because, in my testing experience, only a few components are typically found to be leaded.
• Why waste the plastic? Why waste the bunny suits? Testing will identify the lead hazard that needs the LSWP, then revert to normal demolition and construction techniques.

Where Lead Is Typically Found In A Renovation

• Exterior paint because it had excellent UV resistance.
• Interior trim because it went on smooth and strong.
• Doors, windows, and painted kitchen cabinets.
• Sometimes bathroom and wet area walls because it had mold-resistant properties.

Lead was typically an additive you could use to make the paint smooth and go on so effortlessly, just like the newer latex paint that industry was forced to create.

No Contractor Wants To Cause Harm

By now every contractor should be in the know. There are some who are are working under the radar. ( No surprise after the EPA eliminated enforcement of their rule in Idaho) As a homeowner of a home being renovated you have a responsibility to your family to ensure that the lead safe practices are being followed to prevent illness in your household. If you want a booklet to explain what that means feel free to ask. You should be provided with one. Here is the link. The EPA imagines that if the homeowner was provided with the booklet that the homeowner would ultimately police the contractor. Pretty weak sauce in my book.

DIY Renovation Can Be Tragic

DIY Project

Who doesn’t want to take a hammer to some part of your home to make it better. First time homeowners, often young couples with kids get the bug watching tv home improvement shows and before you know it your pediatrician is giving you the bad news. Your child is suffering from an EBLL (elevated blood lead level). The home inspection didn’t say anything about dangers of lead based paint. Isn’t there some kind of requirement? Sure it is a lame generic form is used that has no teeth and is part of a hundred other documents so it is often ignored or scanned up and conveniently put on a thumb drive along with the home inspection, never to be seen again.

Early Detection

Contractors and lay people can benefit from early detection. With the Lumetallix instant lead test all that could have been avoided. WHAT? LEAD POISIONING PREVENTION? that has been a hot topic as the medical community seems more focused on finding pockets of leaded kids then investigating what the cause is. A backward thought process which should be avoided at all cost especially when the solution is so readily available. With some luck we can make our voices loud enough for the EPA and others to hear our plea.

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If you or someone you know is lead testing or just wants to speak to a trustworthy guy, please contact me. You’ll be glad you did. If you are ready to order some products, use this Lumetallix link or the Amazon Link