Remodeling And Your Family’s Health
Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has decided to delay enforcing a new lead paint regulation until October, it still is important for home owners to find a contractor who is trained in lead-safe work practices for any remodeling work. As of July, 48 companies, who are members of the Home Builders Association of Raleigh–Wake County (HBA), have been certified as lead renovators.
“We are happy that several of our members have taken measures to ensure homeowner safety as well as their own,” said Executive Vice President Tim Minton of the HBA. “These renovators will understand how to protect families from potential lead hazards because they have been trained and certified under the EPA regulation.”
The EPA enacted a law that was originally set to take effect in April 2010 to help reduce the possibility of lead poisoning among children when their homes are being remodeled. The Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting regulation requires that remodelers and other contractors who disturb painted surfaces as part of their renovations in pre-1978 homes become trained and certify their firms. The EPA estimates approximately 38 million homes in the United States may contain lead paint.
