Lead Paint Safety

I've been painting long enough to remember when lead was an ingredient in all the exterior paint we used. The lead pigment made the paint durable, and it adhered better to wood than any other paint known. Now we know that exposure to lead is a serious health hazard especially for children. Lead paint is the largest source of lead exposure in the U.S. today. In April 2010, the EPA announced that renovations and repairs of pre-1978 buildings must now be conducted using safe practices to protect children and pregnant women from exposure to lead-based paint. Contractors are required to be trained and certified in lead-safe work practices. When lead paint is sanded or scraped, hazardous lead dust is created. Lead paint that has been allowed to peel can crack into hazardous chips. Controlling exposure to the lead requires the use of proper protective equipment such as a haz-mat suit and a respirator, and careful clean up of the work area. I am certified in safe-handling practices by the  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. For more information about lead safety, visit the EPA's lead safety page.

Certification No. NAT-49367-1 

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