ACR Video On Water Mitigation
ACR Employees Obtain Additional Certifications
ACR Fire Course At Mesirow June 2
ACR To Host Special Large Loss Training Event
ACR Brings Back The Mobile Trailer
Attend ACR's Carpet Cleaning Course
ACR Adds 2nd Afternoon Mold Course
Attend ACR's MOLD Course
ACR Receives BBB Complaint Free Award
ACR Awarded Lead Safe Certified Firm
ACR Featured in US News & World Reports
Attend ACR's Water Course
Attend ACR's Fire Course
ACR Approved For Continuing Ed Courses
ACR To Follow New EPA Standards
ACR is Serum System Certified
ACR Focuses on Education

Archives



























A C R To Follow New EPA Standards on Lead Based Paint
October 28, 2009

Beginning in April 2010, federal law will require contractors that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities and schools, built before 1978 to be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.  A C R has already applied for certification and training for all of our technicians and staff to prepare for the April 2010 laws.  A C R currently utilizes most of the practices outlined by the EPA for containment, protection and HEPA vacuum cleaning.  A C R has always taken a meticulous approach to the restoration of homes providing the most thorough cleaning methods available. 

Lead-based paint was used in more than 38 million homes until it was banned for residential use in 1978.  . Older homes, child care facilities and schools are more likely to contain lead-based paint.  The percentage of homes that likely contain lead based paint is 87% for homes built before 1940, 69% for those built between 1940 – 1960 and 24% for those built between 1960 – 1978.  Projects that disturb lead-based paint can create dust  which is the most common way people are exposed to lead.  People can also get lead in their bodies from lead in soil or paint chips.  Lead dust is often invisible.  Lead can affect children’s brains and developing nervous systems, causing reduced IQ, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems.  Lead is also harmful to adults

Property owners have the ultimate responsibility for the safety of their family, tenants or children in their care.  This means properly preparing for the renovation and keeping persons out of the work area.  It also means ensuring the contractor uses lead-safe work practices.  Until contractors are required to be certified, make sure your contractor can explain clearly the details of the job and how the contractor will minimize lead hazards during the work.  Ask if the contractor is trained to perform lead-safe work practices and to see a copy of their training certificate.  Ask them what lead-safe methods they will use to set up and perform the job.  If there are questions regarding the new standards, property owners can call 1-800-424-LEAD (5323).

Preparing for a Renovation.
Work areas should not be accessible to occupants while the work occurs. The rooms or areas where work is being done may be blocked off or sealed with plastic sheeting to contain any dust that is generated.  The contained area will not be available until the work in the room or area is complete, cleaned thoroughly, and containment has been removed.  You will not have access to some areas and should plan accordingly. You may need:

• Alternative bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen arrangements if work is occurring in those areas.
• A safe place for pets because they, too, can be poisoned by lead and can track
  lead dust into other areas of the home.
• A separate pathway for the contractor from the work area to the outside, in order to bring material in and out of the home.  Ideally, it should not be through the same entrance that you use.
• A place to store your furniture. All furniture and belongings may have to be moved from the work area while the work is done.  Items that can’t be moved, should be wrapped in heavy duty plastic.
• To turn off forced-air heating and air conditioning systems while work is done.  This prevents dust from spreading through vents from the work area to the rest of your home. 

During The Work
Even before contractors are required to be certified and follow specific work practices, the contract should follow these three simple procedures:

• Contain the work area.  The area should be contained so that dust and debris do not escape.  Warning signs should be put up and heavy-duty plastic and tape should be used as appropriate to cover floors and furniture that is not moved and to seal off doors and heating / cooling vents.
• Minimize dust.  These is no way to eliminate dust, but some methods make less dust than others. 
• Clean up thoroughly.  The work area should be cleaned up daily to keep it as clean as possible.  When all the work is done, the area should be cleaned up using special cleaning methods before taking down any plastic that isolates the work area form the rest of the facility. The special cleaning methods should include:  Using a HEPA vacuum to clean up dust and debris on all surfaces followed by web mopping with plenty of rinse water.

After the Work is Done
Remember lead dust is often invisible to the naked eye.  It may still be present even if you cannot see it.  The contractor should use disposable cleaning cloths to wipe the floor of the work area and compare them to a cleaning verification card to determine if the work are was adequately cleaned.  You also may choose to have a lead-dust test.  Lead-dust tests are wipe samples sent to a laboratory for analysis.