• OHA# 2048 | CCB# 202033
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Lead Inspector
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Lead Based Paint Inspections & Risk Assessment

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Studies have shown that lead in our bodies causes harm in many ways. Children can have learning difficulties and behavioral problems as a result of lead exposure. Adults are also affected with kidney problems, blood disorders, and neurological problems. If you are living in a house or apartment that was constructed prior to 1978, there is a possibility that there is lead-based paint present. The older the construction, the higher the probability that lead is present.

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Know The Health Risks Of Lead Contamination

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What Is Lead-Based Paint?

  • Federal standards define lead-based paint as:Any paint or surface coatings that contain lead equal to or in excess of 1.0 milligram per square centimeter or more than 0.5 percent by weight.
  • Some states and localities regulate paint with lower concentrations of lead.
  • It is the primary source of lead-contaminated dust in housing.

Why was lead used in paint?

  • Lead was added for color and durability.
  • Lead-based paint was banned in 1978.

How Does Lead Get Into the Environment?

  • Deterioration of lead-based paint
  • Leaded gasoline
  • Businesses that involve lead
  • Lead mines or smelters

How Are People Exposed to Lead?

  • Dust, paint, and/or soil
  • Contaminated food, water, or alcohol
  • Some imported home remedies and cosmetics
  • Pre-1978 homes with deteriorated leaded paint
  • Children are at greatest risk
  • Most exposure is through leaded dust in home
  • Lead dust levels have been directly correlated with children’s BLL

How Are People Exposed to Lead in Work Environments?

  • Swallowing lead dust
  • Breathing contaminated air
  • Lead contacting skin
  • Workers can expose their families if they bring lead home on their clothes or skin

What Jobs Involve Lead?

  • Lead smelting or mining
  • Construction/ Remodeling
  • Automobile repair
  • Plumbing
  • Police officers/military
  • Many others

What Hobbies Involve Lead?

  • Car repair
  • Artistic painting
  • Stained glass
  • Pottery glazing
  • Soldering
  • Target shooting
  • Making bullets, slugs or fishing sinkers

Know The Health Risks Of Lead Contamination

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Lead in Drinking Water

Lead can enter water by leaching from:

  • Lead-containing pipes
  • Brass faucets
  • Solder
  • Boiling does not get rid of lead
  • Running cold water before use may reduce exposure

Lead in Commercial Products

Lead is still used in products such as:

  • Bridge paint
  • Computers
  • Solder
  • Pewter
  • Ceramic glazes
  • Jewelry
  • Automotive batteries
  • Imported or older pre-regulation products

Health Risks of Lead

  • Very hazardous to children.
    • Damages the brain and central nervous system; and can cause decreased intelligence, reading and learning difficulties, behavioral problems, and hyperactivity.
    • Damage can be irreversible, affecting children throughout their lives.
  • Hazardous to pregnant women.
    • Damage to the fetus.
  • Also hazardous to workers and other adults.
    • High blood pressure.
    • Loss of sex drive and/or capability.
    • Physical fatigue.
    • Lead exposure causes permanent damage.

Neurological Effects of Lead

  • Neurological effects on children documented at levels below 10 mcg/dL
  • EPA actionable level for a child is 40 mcg/dl
  • Low exposure effects:lowered IQ, attention deficits,and impaired hearing
  • High exposure effects:irritability, convulsions, coma, or death
  • Similar effects in adults at higher exposure levels

Cardiovascular
Effects of Lead

  • Increases risk of hypertension

How To Keep The Lead Out

How Widespread is Lead-Based Paint in Housing?

Year House Was Built/Percent of Houses with Lead Based Paint:

  • Before 1940 – 86 percent
  • 1940-1959 – 66 percent
  • 1960-1978 – 25 percent
  • All Pre-1978 Housing – 35 percent

Prohibited Practices

  • Open-flame burning or torching.
  • Heat gun above 1100º F.
  • Power sanding, power grinding, power planing, needle guns, abrasive blasting and sandblasting, without HEPA vacuum attachment.

The Law

EPA/HUD have devised procedures to protect children from lead exposure. This is called the RRP Rule.

The RRP Rule

Addresses activities that disturb lead-based paint in target housing and child-occupied facilities. It requires:

  • Renovators to be certified through training.
  • Firms to be certified.
  • Training providers to be accredited.
  • Lead-safe work practices during renovations.
  • Pre-renovation education in target housing and child-occupied facilities.
  • On or after April 22, 2010, firms working in pre-1978 homes and child-occupied facilities must be certified and use lead-safe work practices during renovations covered by the Rule.
  • EPA may authorize states, territories and tribes to enforce the Rule.

The RRP Rule: Exclusions

  • Renovation activities where affected components do not contain lead-based paint.
  • Emergency renovations (requires cleanup and cleaning verification).
  • Minor repair and maintenance activities. Note: This exclusion does not apply to window replacement, demolition or activities involving prohibited practices.
  • Renovations performed by homeowners in their own homes.

The RRP Rule: Enforcement

  • CCB/OHA may suspend, revoke, or modify a firm’s certification if the Certified Firm or Certified Renovator is found to be in non-compliance.
  • Those firms found to be non-compliant may be liable for civil penalties of up to $5,000 for each violation.
  • Those firms who knowingly or willfully violate this regulation may be subject to fines of up to an additional $5,000 per violation, or imprisonment, or both.
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