New EPA Regulations on Lead Safety Start April 22

The new EPA regulations require that your firm must be "certified" and your "renovators" must be trained. That's stated on page 3 of the EPA's Small Entity Compliance Guide. Page 2 of the Compliance Guide identifies those who must comply as "residential rental property owners/managers, general contractors, and specialty trades contractors". No mention of architects. Page 5 lists the "Responsibilities of a Certified Firm" which extend beyond simply being certified and having trained renovators.

Another concern is that your liability policy probably offers you no coverage for hazard materials. Our broker can get us a policy for lead paint for $3K, all hazard materials for $5K.

Also, these regulations stop at the front door. Disposal is another matter. If we have to pay to dispose of this material as toxic waste I expect a significant increase in cost. I spoke with the Marin Resource Recovery Center. They'll be getting back to me with related information which I'll pass along to all of you.

Below is the link to the EPA's website page on this topic.

http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm

Comments

[Christine Newsome]

What is difference between the old and the new epa

[John Williams]

The EPA has a good reference called "Using Barriers to Contain Dust and other Pollutants" Here is the link from their site. http://www.epa.gov/iaq/homes/hip-barriers.html. Barriers should be used to contain the spread of dust and other pollutants from the work area to other parts of the home. A simple barrier consists of 6 mil poly sheeting taped over doors and other openings in the room. Poly sheeting should also be taped over any supply and return registers for the home's heating, cooling, or ventilation system that are in the room to avoid spreading the pollutants or contaminating the ducts. Having blocked off registers, you should be sure to provide ventilation for the area. An exhaust fan, with provision for make-up air, complements this strategy well. For more information, see the discussion of ventilation containment strategies that create a pressure barrier to prevent the spread of pollutants. ZipWall's new ZipPole system is a great system for only $169, half the price of the original ZipWall Barrier System. Click here to learn more: www.zipwall.com/lp/zippole.html