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What about the EPA lead rule?

Remodel Crazy has asked 6 people to give their opinions on the rule, their observations, their feelings and their predictions. And here it comes!

We all have an opinion, is it valid?

Yes, of course. The new lead rule effects everyone who lives in a home, that’s a lot of people. Renters, homeowners and all the other folks who sell homes, work on homes and supply products for homes are effected.

In a nutshell the EPA lead rule for safe remodeling dictates how home repair and home improvement will be conducted on homes that were built before 1978. That is the year lead paint was not allowed in our homes anymore. Its poisonous.

Did we poison our family and environment? Hell yes! Uncle Bob or Tom the painter still insisted lead made for a long lasting job, and it did. Turkish murals from 1000 BC painted with lead paint still show brilliant colors, its a damn good additive for long lasting paint.

The problem.

You can get sick from lead. Pregnant women and children suffer the most from the effects of lead, it may not kill you today but lead poisoning will surely affect you for the rest of your life, and in a bad way.

We will publish 3 articles with 6 people contributing opinions over the next 3 weeks. This week Leah Thayer and Bob Bell.

Don’t Mind the Dust

By Leah Thayer

Leah, eyes wide open.

Gut instinct and anecdotal observations have told me that the RRP hasn’t made a beanhill of difference in how most people remodel their homes, but, seeking scientific evidence, I took a walk. Step one was to coerce my son and his friend away from killing enemy avatars online. In step two, we set off down the nicest street in the neighborhood. This morning as usual, it was abuzz with remodeling activity. Here’s what we saw in the first block:

• Seven-bedroom Victorian, built roughly 1900, Zillow value $2.9 million. Project includes exterior walkways and patios, rebuilt second-floor porch and who knows what inside, but trucks have been there for weeks. Buzzing and hammering sounds from within; no evidence of “signs clearly defining the work area and warning occupants and other persons not involved in renovation activities to remain outside of the work area,” as specified in the rule’s section 745.85.

• Four-bedroom shingle-style, built roughly 1900, Zillow value $1.9 million. Part of the side is torn off; open front door reveals front-to-back gut job. No visible precautions involving lead paint or the RRP.

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