Lead Paint: A Renovator’s Hazard

Recent legislation aimed at preventing lead poisoning may pose serious problems for renovators. Regulations such as those enacted by Massachusetts require the certification and eventual licensing of any person involved with the deleading of a building. Certified contractors must also implement safety procedures that are similar to those required in the removal of asbestos, including protective clothing and respirators for all employees, complete isolation of the work area, and cleanup using High-Efficiency Particulate (HEPA) vacs and phosphate washing. What is most startling is that these regulations can apply to anyone engaged in the renovation of a building that contains lead-based paint. Many homes contain lead paint and consequently a lot of renovators may be affected by such legislation. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)