Lead-Based Paint Regulations
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An HQS inspector measures surface area if paint
problems are found.
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HUD requires that homes built before 1978 and to be occupied by children under
the age of six, have no deteriorated or peeling paint inside or out. The
Lead-Safe Housing Rule is designed to protect property owners, their employees
and their tenants from lead poisoning. To reduce the exposure to young
children, current regulations emphasize reducing lead in house dust.
Complete information about HUD's lead-based paint regulations and
about training that would make it possible for you to perform some paint repairs on
your own is available at
HUD's Web site. You also can download HUD's Lead Compliance Toolkit (word).
You can also consult a list of firms (pdf) certified by the
State of Washington to perform lead-based paint services, including inspection, risk assessment and abatement. KCHA provides a summary here of the rules and how you can
eliminate hazards from lead-based paint in your units through stabilization or
abatement.
KCHA inspectors visually check interior and exterior painted surfaces,
including those in living spaces, stairways, fences and garages. The inspectors
will look for any signs of deteriorated paint, such as peeling, chipping,
chalking or cracking.
We strongly urge you to regularly inspect your property and remove any
defective paint, using the guidelines below, before an HQS inspection. Good
maintenance is the easiest way to prevent paint problems from occurring.
If deteriorated paint is found, you must perform "paint
stabilization" using "safe work practices." KCHA is committed to
making the paint stabilization process, should it be necessary, as easy as
possible and will assist in providing information and resources to you at your
request.
Paint Stabilization
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All interior and exterior deteriorated paint must be removed or encapsulated,
and where paint is removed, the area must be repainted.
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Damaged surfaces underneath the paint must also be repaired.
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A person trained and certified in safe
work practices must perform all of the work. This person must have
successfully completed the Remodeler's and Renovator's Lead-Based Paint
Training Course or Safe Work Practices Training Course approved by HUD. This
work also involves the use of specialized equipment, including respirators and
vacuum cleaners equipped with high efficiency particle arresting (HEPA)
filters.
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The owner must ensure and certify that paint stabilization was conducted with
safe work practices, including occupant protection and work site
preparation and cleanup. The site should be sealed off with plastic sheeting
during work. The site should be cleaned thoroughly before Section 8
participants occupy it.
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The unit must pass a clearance examination that includes 1) a visual assessment
of the affected area and 2) surface wipe samples of affected rooms, sent to a
lab to determine the presence of lead on floors, windowsills and troughs. The
Housing Authority will conduct the clearance testing. If the work site was not
properly contained, then the entire unit must pass clearance. If the work area
was properly sealed off, testing can be conducted just on the work site and
area immediately outside the containment.
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The owner must provide notification to the occupants in writing of the hazard
reduction activities and the result of the clearance or any other testing
completed on the unit.
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The owner must conduct ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the unit to
prevent lead hazards.
De Minimis Levels: Safe work practices and clearance are
not required when maintenance and hazard reduction activities
disturb painted surfaces that total less than (a) 20 square feet on exterior
surfaces (this is an area about 4 feet 6 inches on each side); (b) 2 square
feet in any one room or space (this is a square about 17 inches on each side);
or (c) 10 percent of the total surface area on an interior or exterior
component with a small surface area such as a window sill or molding.
The Housing Authority may exempt from stabilization requirements defective
paint surfaces determined not to be lead-based by a state-certified lead-based
paint risk assessor or lead paint inspector.
Lead-Based Paint Resources
For more information about lead-based paint and other regulations, you may
contact Carolyn Robinson at the King County Housing Authority -- (206)
214-1307, fax (206) 315-6920 or carolynr@kcha.org.
KCHA can provide lists of contractors, persons trained in safe work practices
and certified risk assessors at your request.
Other resources for information about lead-based paint regulations are:
HUD's Office
of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control. You can e-mail questions to
lead_regulations@hud.gov.
Disclosure Rule and Lead-Based Paint Pamphlet
National Lead
Information Center
National Center
for Healthy Housing
Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development Lead-based Paint Information
Environmental Protection Agency
EPA Renovation Rule
Locate EPA-Certified Renovation Firms
HUD Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheet