EPA Lead Safe Training | RRP | Lead Safe Work Practices | Consultation
In general, the older your home, the more likely it has lead-based paint.
In homes in the city, country, or suburbs.
In apartments, single-family homes, and both private and public housing.
Inside and outside of the house.
In soil around a home. Soil can pick up lead from exterior paint, or other sources such as past use of leaded gas in cars, and children playing in yards can ingest or inhale lead dust.
Household dust. Dust can pick up lead from deteriorating lead-based paint or from soil tracked into a home.
Drinking water. Your home might have plumbing with lead or lead solder. Call your local health department or water supplier to find out about testing your water. You cannot see, smell or taste lead, and boiling your water will not get rid of lead. If you think your plumbing might have lead in it:
Use only cold water for drinking and cooking.
Run water for 15 to 30 seconds before drinking it, especially if you have not used your water for a few hours.
The job. If you work with lead, you could bring it home on your hands or clothes. Shower and change clothes before coming home. Launder your work clothes separately from the rest of your family’s clothes.
Old painted toys and furniture.
Food and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain. Food can become contaminated because lead can leach in from these containers.
Lead smelters or other industries that release lead into the air.
Hobbies that use lead, such as making pottery or stained glass, or refinishing furniture.
Folk remedies that contain lead, such as “greta” and “azarcon” used to treat an upset stomach.
Childhood lead poisoning remains a major environmental health problem in the United States.
Think lead paint doesn’t affect your business? Think again. A new rule by the <a href=”http://epa.gov”>Environmental Protection Agency</a> (EPA) mandates that all renovation and repair contractors working in pre-1978 homes, schools, and day care centers who disrupt more than six square feet of lead paint are required to become EPA Certified in lead-safe work practices. Contractors are required to take a one-day training course and firms must send a short application to the the EPA. If not, they could face tens of thousands of dollars in fines in the future. New research shows that contractors like plumbers, electricians, painters and window replacement experts can inadvertently expose children to harmful levels of lead from invisible dust disturbed during jobs they perform every day. Firms must register with EPA and pay a fee. Individuals must take a one-day training course from an <a href=”http://wagnerconsultantgroup.com”>EPA-accredited training provider</a> to become a certified renovator. EPA certification is good for five years. Mindful of the small added costs that may result from complying with this important rule, the EPA is launching a consumer campaign designed to raise awareness of the dangers of lead paint poisoning, and encourage consumers to choose only contractors who are Lead- Safe Certified. For additional information including how your firm can get Lead-Safe Certified, visit <a href=”http://www.wagnerconsultantgroup.com/lead-safe-training-dates”>epa.gov/getleadsafe</a> or call 682-323-9289 today.
FACT: Lead exposure can harm young children and babies even before they are born.
FACT: Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies.
FACT: You can get lead in your body by breathing or swallowing lead dust, or by eating soil or paint chips containing lead.
FACT: You have many options for reducing lead hazards. In most cases, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a hazard.
FACT: Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase the danger to your family.
If you think your home might have lead hazards, read on to learn about lead and some simple steps to protect your family.
