Posts Tagged "Home Remodling"
EPA Steping Up Lead Paint Enforcement
The EPA has just announced that they will be three more enforcement actions for violations of the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP). They are requiring the use of lead safe work practices. It is to ensure that activities such as sanding, cutting and demolition, which can create hazardous lead dust, are conducted properly by trained and certified contractors. The problem that occurs during renovations with lead based products present, is that the dust gets thrown into the air. The lead in the product is not very harmful to us. But when it is air born and becomes a fine particle it is then inhaled and this raising the chances for Lead related health problems, such as mesothelioma. The reason these enforcement have been made is to protect the property owners, as well help with the liability of lawsuits against landlords. Just recently Colin Wentworth, a rental property owner had to pay 10,000 to resolve a violation of the RRP rules. Which was a complaint that stated he was using power equipment to get paint off of an exterior wall. So the enforcements are about protecting our families and our neighborhoods. The more prevelent lead becomes the stricter the rules will become on lead. This is to help keep what is most important safe, our families. This crack down on lead is spreading throughout the nation.
Spring is here, So is Radon!
During these past winter weeks we have had the ability to get the most accurate levels in homes for radon due to the fact that many people keep there windows and doors closed during this time. I don’t know many people who thought a nice blizzard breeze felt good. Now if you have your house tested this spring it is very crucial to the test your doing to recieve the most accurate levels possible. As well its very important to your families health as well. As a Radon testing company we see the effects of windows being left open during radon test, or if they were not used properly. Thus why we send out two test or do our (CRM) continuois Radon Monitor. It’s important for us to get this information out to you. Because we want you the home owner getting the best readings so we know that your home and whats in it, is going to be protected. So remeber if you have your home tested no matter how beautiful these spring days become keep windows and doors closed when testing for Radon.
Radon Is a Killer, Respect It, Test For It.
Radon, It is know as the silent killer and for a good reason. Its a odorless, colorless, radioactive gas that can enter into your home. Radon is produced through the break down of uranium in the soil which most of the time si located under homes foundations. It as well is the secound leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. Home owners and homebuyers should always test there homes for Radon. Studies do shows that most of Colorado’s counties are potential areas for high Radon. The EPA’s zone map of Colorado shows most of the counties in the Zone 1 levels. Which is the zone that the EPA recomends the homeowners to take action. Click here to go to the EPA’s Map of Colorado.
Because radon levels are influenced by a variety of factors—soil type and moisture, how “tight” the home is, type of heating and ventilation system, movement of air and groundwater, air pressure, and lifestyle behavior of the occupants—the only way to know if a home has elevated levels of radon is to test it. This table was pulled from an Artical about Radon In the Home Click here to go there.
Table 1: Radon risk if you have never smoked (Developed by the EPA). Radon
LevelIf 1,000 people who never smoked were exposed to this level over a lifetime
The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to WHAT TO DO 20 pCi/L* about 36 people could get lung cancer 35 times the risk of drowning Fix your home. 10 pCi/L* about 18 people could get lung cancer 20 times the risk of dying in a home fire Fix your home. 8 pCi/L* about 15 people could get lung cancer 4 times the risk of dying ina fall Fix your home. 4 pCi/L* about 7 people could get lung cancer The risk of dying in a car crash. Fix your home. 2 pCi/L* about 4 people could get lung cancer The risk of dying of poison. Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L 1.3 pCi/L* about 2 people could get lung cancer Average indoor radon level. (Reducing radon levels below
2 pCi/L is difficult.)0.4 pCi/L* Average outdoor radon level. (Reducing radon levels below
2 pCi/L is difficult.)*pCi/L: picocuries of radon per liter of air
NOTE: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be higher.Stay Safe Working Around Lead Paint
In challenging economic times, many homeowners consider remodeling their homes rather than moving. Others are remodeling to improve energy efficiency and Go Green! It is important to stay safe when you remodel, whether you are hiring a contractor or doing it yourself. Learn the facts about working with lead paint. Painting or remodeling a home build before 1978 can disturb lead paint and endanger young children. Lead can harm your child’s brain, causing lifelong learning and behavior problems. Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies. Children under age six are most at risk. Lead can harm an unborn baby, if the mother is exposed to lead. Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase the danger to your family and require large costs for proper cleanup to ensure a lead-safe environment. Keep your home a Healthy Home by learning the facts about lead.
Where is lead paint found? Most homes built before 1978 have some lead paint. Homes built before 1960 have the most lead paint. Lead paint can be present on any painted surface, but it is most fen found on windows, trim,doors, railing, columns, porches and outside walls.
Sanding, scraping or otherwise disturbing lead paint can release large amounts of toxic lead dust. This dust isn’t always visible and can settle on floors and other surfaces where it gets on children’s hands and into their mouths. The only way to know for certain if a surface has been coated with lead-based paint is to test it.
New rules adopted by the EPA require that if you hire a contractor to remodel your pre 1978 home and the work involves disturbing paint, the contractor is required to give you the Renovate Right pamphlet before starting work. EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting Program (RRP) rule also requires that, starting April 2010, contractors performing work that disturbs lead-based paint homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 Must be EPA-certified to work with lead-based paint, and Must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.
