Some back ground information may be in order.
I started painting during high school and continued in the trade working for various contractors and for several years working as a self-employed painter in Arizona, Kentucky, Texas, and Pennsylvania. This was between 1965 and 1995. During that period of time I heard very little discussion of the dangers of working with lead-based paint. Neither was training on safe work practices when lead-based paint may be present offered to me nor was I aware of any training being available. How did working around lead-based paint during that period affect my health? I don't know and most likely will never know for sure. Over the years I have worked around many hazardous materials. I am sure they have all affected my health in one way or another.
I have only recently (July, 2009) returned to the painting field after a 15 year hiatus. During my time off, I heard only brief mention of the changes occurring in the painting field due to lead-based paint dangers. Upon returning to the trade I knew I would have to do much research and implement the changes in procedures that would be necessary to protect my customers, my employees, and myself when working on pre-1978 buildings.
Specifically, why should we be concerned about lead-based paint?
According to the EPA, HUD, and OSHA there are many health risks associated with working around lead-based paint. These are risks not only for workers but also for residents. Please go to the health risks tabs above to see the possible health risks of lead.
The effect of lead exposure is serious and can cause permanent damage, especially to fetuses and children under the age of six since the damage to them may "be irreversible, affecting children throughout their lives."
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry published TOXILOGICAL PROFILE FOR LEAD, a 582 page document, in August 2007. I am not a doctor or a scientist and do not have the training or knowledge to question or criticize this report so I must accept it as is. I am not aware of information in the medical field that would contradict the information in this document or label it as extreme. I have been told that the health risks of working with lead have been known for centuries. In fact there is a medical term used to describe lead poisening that has been in existence for centuries. It is "plumism". (See definition on the health risk page.)
What are my concerns about the EPA Program?
Now that I have had time to digest some of the information received from the EPA and from the EPA Certified Lead Paint Training class (such as the list of possible health risks above) I will start to express myself about areas that are of concern to me.
Since the health risks are so great, why are there no incentives being offered to homeowners/residents of pre-1978 to hire certified contractors. Without help or incentives to owners (especially those on tight budgets) are they not being encouraged to take the following steps when they need to remodel?
- Decide to do their own remodeling work while not being aware or taking time to learn the safe work practices needed to protect themselves and their families when there is a possibility of disturbing lead-based paint. They may decide this way when the receive an estimate from certified contractors that reflect the increased costs resulting from becoming certified, increased insurance requirements, extra labor cost to implement and follow lead-safe work practices, and record keeping requirements.
- Decide to hire or use untrained individuals (family, friends, unemployed workers) or unscrupulous companies who will agree to do the work "under the radar of the EPA" in order to reduce the cost of renovation. Doing so would also put themselves and their families at risk.
If you are a contractor, homeowner, health official, parent, grandparent, medical practitioner, inspector, or anyone else who may have an interest in discussing this matter do not hesitate to post your reply.
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