News Release Distributed 11/12/10
If your home was built before 1978, it could have lead-based paint. Any renovation, repair or painting project that disturbs lead paint could result in a health hazard if lead-safe work practices are not used before, during and after the project, according to Claudette Reichel, LSU AgCenter housing specialist.
“The best way to protect your family, pets and visitors is to have the work on your home done by a lead-certified renovator who knows and uses rigorous dust-management techniques to keep your home safe for your family, pets and visitors,” Reichel said.
Even a tiny amount of lead paint dust can cause lead poisoning – especially in young children and pets.
“Lead-based paint is the most common source of lead poisoning and its toxic effects – especially for children,” Reichel said. “Young children are at greatest risk, and even very small exposures can cause irreversible damage to a developing child’s brain and body without any symptoms of poisoning.”
Learning disabilities, hearing loss and difficult behavior problems are some of the effects lead paint can have on children, but high exposure can harm anyone.
All firms that perform work that disturbs lead-based paint in housing and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 are now required to be EPA-certified and use lead-safe work practices, Reichel said.
Lead-certified renovators have completed an EPA training program and test conducted by an approved training provider.
“To help local contractors comply with the renovation, repair or painting rule and protect children and workers from the dangers of lead paint dust, the LSU AgCenter’s LaHouse Resource Center and the National Center for Healthy Housing, a national EPA-accredited provider, have teamed up to provide lead-certified renovator training classes around the state,” Reichel said.
More than 500 Louisiana contractors have completed the course. A list of certified renovators is available online at www.epa.gov/lead. Painting and renovation contractors not yet certified can find more information at www.lsuagcenter.com/LaHouse.
The next lead-certified renovator training class is scheduled for November 16 at the .LaHouse Resource Center in Baton Rouge. It is a one-day course.
Johnny Morgan