EPA Urges Caution on Tornado Renovation Activities Involving Lead Paint (KS, MO)
Environmental News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Kansas City, Kan., June 21, 2011) - As the
Joplin, Mo., area continues to recover from the May 22 tornado, EPA
Region 7 recommends children and pregnant women keep away from work
that could disturb lead-based paint. The Agency also urges persons
working on construction surfaces that may contain lead-based paint
to take precautions to prevent the spread of lead-contaminated
dust, which is the most significant source of lead exposure for
children.
Lead dust may pose hazards to children and pregnant women during
cleanup and repair work that typically follows natural disasters
such as tornadoes and floods. Common renovation activities like
sanding, cutting and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and
chips, which can be harmful to adults and children. Lead-based
paint was used in more than 38 million homes until it was banned
for residential use in 1978. In young children, lead exposure can
cause reduced IQ, learning disabilities, developmental delays, and
behavioral problems.
The federal Renovation, Repair and Painting
(RRP) Rule requires that contractors, property managers and others
working for compensation, in homes and child-occupied facilities
built before 1978, to be trained and use lead-safe work practices.
They also must provide a copy of the brochure, “Renovate
Right; Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care
Providers and Schools,” to owners and occupants before
starting renovation work. The brochure is available online.
EPA emphasizes that because of the nature of the
recovery work going on in Joplin, certain emergency provisions of
the RRP Rule may apply. Work covered under the rule’s
provision for storm-damaged housing does not require advance notice
or trained renovators to remove materials, including debris, from
damaged homes. Also, emergency renovation activities are exempt
from the rule’s warning sign, containment, waste-handling,
training, and certification requirements – but only to the
extent necessary to respond to the emergency. Cleaning, cleaning
verification and recordkeeping requirements still apply to
emergency renovations. Other non-emergency renovation activities
remain subject to the rule’s requirements.
Volunteers who do not receive compensation for
work are not required to be trained and certified, under the rule.
However, volunteers are strongly advised to educate themselves
about lead-safe work practices to avoid causing health or safety
hazards for themselves or others.
Homeowners doing their own renovations should
take steps to protect themselves and their families from exposure
to lead dust. Those steps include:
- Containing the work area so that dust does not escape from the area. Cover floors and furniture that cannot be moved with heavy duty plastic and tape, and seal off doors and heating and cooling system vents;
- Keeping children, pregnant women, and pets out of the work area at all times;
- Minimizing dust during the project by using techniques that generate less dust, such as wet sanding or scraping, or using sanders or grinders that have HEPA vacuum attachments which capture the dust that is generated; and
- Cleaning up thoroughly by using a HEPA vacuum and wet wiping to clean up dust and debris on surfaces. Mop floors with plenty of rinse water before removing plastic from doors, windows, and vents.
Additional information on EPA’s lead program, and ways to protect against hazards associated with lead-based paint, is available online at www.epa.gov/lead, or by contacting the National Lead Information Center, 1-800-424-5323.
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