Federal EPA Regulations for Home Improvements
Since July 6, 2010, new Federal Regulations (EPA: 40 CFR part 745) requires additional lead safety measures in all contracted home improvements. Homes exempt are those:

• Built after 1977
• Work site is less than 20 square feet of exterior work or 6 square feet of interior work and does not involve window replacement or demolition of painted surface areas
• Site has been tested for lead by a certified firm and found to be lead-free

 The EPA Federal Requirements:

• Contractors must be lead certified to “40 CFR part 745”
• Prior to any work beginning, contractors must give homeowners the pamphlet, Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools which discusses the dangers of lead (similar to the one Bartlett Brainard Products has been giving to all their window and siding customers for the past 10 years)
• Work areas must be contained and identified with posted signs
• Special equipment must be used to minimize dust (for example: hepa vacuums)
• Careful and thorough clean-up

"Opt Out" Clause

• As of July 6, 2010 Homeowners are no longer allowed to "Opt Out" of lead safe procedures. Before July homeowners could "opt out" from lead containment procedures if they had no occupants who: 1) were pregnant or 2) were younger than 6 years old. These homeowners could sign a form stating that they understood the risks of lead but did not want lead containment practices during their renovation.
• Currently the National Home Builders Association and several other organizations have filed suit against the EPA for repealing the "Opt Out" clause.    The court has not made a ruling yet.

How Bartlett Brainard conforms to “40 CFR part 745”

• Bartlett Brainard has always been concerned about Lead and for the past 10 years has supplied customers with a pamphlet about the dangers of lead.  As of April 22, 2010, Bartlett Brainard has been distributing the new "Renovate Right" booklet and requiring customers to fill out an acknowledgement form.
• Bartlett Brainard workers and the company are lead certified.
• The EPA required forms, materials and tools are being utilized.

Does Your Home have Lead?

Only a certified lead test will tell you, however the EPA has published the following statistics.

• Homes built before 1940 are 98% likely to have lead.
• Homes built between 1940 and 1960 are 70% likely to have lead.
• Homes built between 1960 and 1978 are 20% likely to have lead.

More information can be found at these Links:

EPA site: Ruling

HUD booklet, “Lead Paint Safety – Field Guide for Painting, Home Maintenance and Renovation Work”  (84 pp, 1.3MB).  If you perform routine maintenance on homes or apartments built before 1978, this guide will help you plan and carry out your work safely.

EPA Booklet: Testing Your Home for Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil (PDF, 20 pp, 204K)
Provides home owners with an understanding of lead testing methods.

EPA Booklet: Reducing Lead Hazards When Remodeling Your Home (PDF, 84 pp, 1.3MB)
Helps homeowners understand what precautions should be taken before work is done on their homes.