Any renovation, repair, or painting project in a pre-1978 home or building can easily create dangerous lead dust.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that RRP projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and preschools built before 1978 be performed by lead-safe certified contractors.
Generally, the EPA’s 2008 Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule does not apply to homeowners doing projects in their own homes.
However, it does apply if you rent all or part of your home, operate a child care center in your home or if you buy, renovate, and sell homes for profit (e.g., a house flipper).
Hiring an EPA-Certified contractor for renovation and repair work
If peeling or deteriorating lead-based paint is found in your home, consider having the hazard removed by an EPA-certified contractor to reduce the risk of lead exposure in your home.
EPA lead-safe certification is required for all contractors performing lead risk assessment or hazard removal. Ensure that your renovation and repair work is done by an EPA certified professional.
Who is required to adhere to the EPA’s Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule
The Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule establishes requirements for firms and individuals performing renovations, and affects contractors, property managers and others who disturb painted surfaces.
It applies to work in houses, apartments and child-occupied facilities (such as schools and child care centers) built before 1978. It includes pre-renovation education requirements as well as training, firm certification and work practice requirements.
Under the rule, beginning April 22, 2010, firms performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and kindergartens built before 1978 must be EPA- or state-certified and must use certified renovators who follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. This includes in-house maintenance staff and many types of outside contractors. In order to become certified renovators, individuals must take training from an EPA-accredited training provider.
For firms to be certified, they must submit an application and fee to EPA online.
How do I comply?
- Read a handbook for contractors, property managers, and maintenance personnel working in homes, child care facilities, and kindergartens built before 1978. Small Entity Compliance Guide to Renovate Right: EPA’s Lead-based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Program (September 2011 revised version) | en español.
- Compliance information relating to lead in paint, dust and soil.
Renovations of Child-Occupied Facilities
EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule requires that renovations of child-occupied facilities be carried out only by Lead-Safe Certified renovation firms, using certified renovators trained in lead-safe work practices. This is to ensure that these renovations do not inadvertently contaminate your facility and expose children to hazardous lead dust.