Lead-based Paint: New Regulations vs. Reality

If you are selling or buying a house built prior to 1978, educate yourself about lead-related issues. Be aware that the 2010 regulations are a work in progress.

Prior to1978, paint often contained lead, and when lead-containing products deteriorate, miniscule lead particles contaminate the environment. Lead is harmful to everybody, but is particularly detrimental to small children because it directly affects their developing brains and nervous systems. Children usually get lead poisoning at home by ingesting lead-contaminated materials, which often happens from their constant hand-to-mouth activity.

A new regulation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about lead paint hazards took effect on April 22. 2010. It concerns Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) activities in single and multi-family housing, and is designed to reduce children’s exposure to the dust or chips of lead paint that can result from sanding, cutting, demolition and other work. Contractors and renovators have until December 31, 2010 to be trained and certified in the EPA’s new lead-based paint work practices in order to do RRP work on pre-1978 housing.

There are a few exceptions to the new regulations:

• Houses built after 1978
• Minor repairs: interior work that disturbs less than six square feet, or exterior work that disturbs less than twenty square feet
• Houses or components that test lead free by a Certified Risk Assessor, Lead Inspector or Certified Renovator.
• Property owners who do renovation, repair and painting work themselves.
  

Sellers must disclose known information on lead-based paint before selling a house, and sales contracts must include a disclosure form. Keep in mind that all buyers are given information about lead hazards, and this could prompt them to inquire about the presence of lead-based paint in your house.

What should you do if you own a house built prior to 1978, or are planning to buy one? Educate yourself about lead paint issues, but the fact is that when it comes to lead hazards, the new regulations have overtaken reality. In WNC there seem to be few, if any, resources to have your home tested, and most contractors have yet to be trained and certified.

For further information:
Environmental Protection Agency     http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadinfo
State of North Carolina            http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/lead
Warren Wilson College            http://warren-wilson.edu/~lpp/services

Smart Selling Tip:
If you are selling or buying a house built prior to 1978, educate yourself about lead-related issues. However, be aware that so far there are few companies in WNC that are certified to do testing, abatement or renovation. Regulations have overtaken reality, and the final chapter on this subject has yet to be written.