Starting in April of 2010, the EPA will be enforcing a new set of regulations that apply to renovations on pre-1978 homes. Anyone that's purchased an older home has signed a lead-paint disclosure form (which basically states that you're aware of the potential presence), but few think much about it beyond closing on the property. Each year in the United States over 300,000 children between the ages of 1 and 5 are found to have elevated levels of lead in their bodies. High levels of exposure can cause severe brain damageand even low levels have been linked to lower IQ levels.
As the April enforcement deadline nears, other contractors in town are scrambling to enroll in the class which is now backlogged several months. Here in Denver, permits for renovations on pre-1978 homes will only be issued to lead safety certified contractors. It remains to be seen how other jurisdictionsenforce the new EPA regulations. The bottom line is this, before signing a contract with anyone,make sure your contractor is certified to do the work.
Read more about these changes from Kupono Construction, the first contractor in Denver to be certified.
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