If your home was built after 1978 or your pre-1978 pad is being renovated less than 6 square feet at a time, you are free to move on to more captivating reading. (Facebook? Really?)
However, if your place is pre-1978 and you plan to do some renovation you need to read this. As of April 20, 2010, the EPA now requires that contractors be certified to disturb lead-based paint and follow specific steps to prevent lead contamination in your home. Before you hire a contractor, you should search the EPA database and be certain that they have taken the training course necessary to obtain certification. It might not be a bad idea to read what procedures are required during the renovation, either. No, it's not fascinating subject matter, but making sure that your contractor is doing things correctly could save you some headaches in the future. And even though overexposure to lead can cause headaches, that pun was not intended.
Homeowners do not need to be certified to work on their own home, but the EPA strongly recommends that you follow the same procedures that contractors now must follow.
For all of the information, delivered in a way that only your federal government can deliver it, go to:
http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm#owners
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