LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY | Secretary Aurelia S. Giacometto
A DEPARTMENT OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
If your home was built before 1978 and you are remodeling or renovating, be aware that both exterior and interior projects can produce dust, paint chips, larger pieces of material, and liquids that could contain lead. In order to keep lead hazards to a minimum, use the following guidelines when setting up work areas.
Are you looking to buy, sell, or rent a home or apartment in the near future? If so, you may need to be aware of the Section 1018 Disclosure Rule. The purpose of the Section 1018 Disclosure Rule is to protect families from lead exposure from paint, dust, and soil.
Section 1018 of Title X required the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to write a rule that would require sellers and landlords to disclose all known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards to potential buyers or renters before the sale or lease of most housing built before 1978. The rule will help inform about 9 million renters and 3 million home buyers each year. This rule will be federally administered and will act as a complement to the disclosure requirements that already exist in some states.
Lead poison hazards have long been a problem in the state of Louisiana, particularly for children under the age of six (6) years. Recent research has shown that lead is toxic in children at extremely low levels (10-15 μg/dl). The routes of entry of lead into the body are ingestion (eating paint chips or soil) or inhalation of lead dust. The U.S. Public Health Service Centers for Disease Control (USOPH/CDC) rated lead poisoning as the most common devastating environmental disease of young children under the age of six (6) years.
Lead-based paint was used extensively in public facilities, private homes, and child-occupied buildings before its use was banned by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) in 1978. Of the 77 million homes built before 1980, about 57 million, or 75% have been painted with lead-based paint.
In response to this serious public health problem, in 1993, the Louisiana Legislature mandated the Department of Environmental Quality/Air Permits/Manufacturing Section/Asbestos & Lead Group to develop and implement a program to address lead hazards associated with lead-based paint. The LDEQ program, which began in 1994, has the following twofold purpose:
Personal Protection Equipment & Hygiene for Renovation and Remodeling Projects
If your home was built before 1978, and you plan to remove or break through painted surfaces, be aware that lead-based paint hazards (i.e. dust and chips) may be present. To protect yourself and others while removing paint, sanding, patching, scraping or tearing down walls; removing or replacing windows, baseboards, doors, plumbing fixtures, heating and ventilation duct work, or electrical systems, you should use the correct personal protection equipment (PPE) and hygiene.
After lead-based paint (LBP) has been found in a residence, it is especially important to routinely use cleaning procedures that will minimize the risk of exposure to accumulated lead-contaminated dust. Painted surfaces that contain lead but are kept in good condition may release little or no lead and present a low risk of lead exposure. Exposure risks to lead-contaminated dust increase whenever LBP surfaces are disturbed in any way. Window sills, stools, and troughs are likely areas for this type of dust accumulation. Since exterior lead-contaminated dust may also be tracked into and accumulate on and around residential entry ways, clean or remove shoes before entering your home.
The recommended housekeeping procedure is periodic damp wiping or wet cleaning of areas such as those mentioned above. Horizontal surfaces such as floors and stairs where children frequently play should also receive special attention. If residents have access to HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuum equipment, its periodic use is strongly recommended. This cleaning should be done at least weekly, and more often in areas frequented by children. Gloves should be worn to keep dust off the skin. After cleaning is completed, thoroughly rinse sponges and mops.
Proper Methods for Cleaning up During and After Housing Projects That May Involve Lead-based Paint.
If your home was built before 1978 and you plan to renovate or remodel your home, be aware that leadbased paint may be present in your home. In order to keep lead hazards to a minimum while working on lead abatement, renovation, and remodeling projects, pay special attention to cleanup activities that will help prevent contaminating other areas or exposing people to lead. Use the following guidelines when determining what is necessary to protect yourself, your family, and any workers.