Comments on: The Great EPA Monkey War of 2010 http://www.remodelcrazy.com/2009/remodel-industry-news/the-great-epa-monkey-war-of-2010.html Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:59:33 +0000 hourly 1 By: Owen Sechrist http://www.remodelcrazy.com/2009/remodel-industry-news/the-great-epa-monkey-war-of-2010.html#comment-152 Owen Sechrist Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:03:26 +0000 http://www.remodelcrazy.com/?p=1166#comment-152 So the realotrs are worried they'll have to pay more than 43 cents on the dollar for repairs and renovations. At least they're on our side...sort of... The SBA response if fantastic. The Center for Healthy Housing document was an interesting read. I had always assumed much more paint and other finishes contained lead. As far as the EPA, here is Chris' link from another thread that is the only comprehensive document from the EPA explaining what in tarnation is going on: http://epa.gov/lead/pubs/sbcomplianceguide.pdf There website is nothing more than a tangleweb of mumbo jumbo. Even the application form for companies to become certified renovation firms uses ambiguous language by constantly using the word "should" in regard to things like taking training and certification courses to become a certified lead renovator. So the realotrs are worried they’ll have to pay more than 43 cents on the dollar for repairs and renovations.

At least they’re on our side…sort of…

The SBA response if fantastic.

The Center for Healthy Housing document was an interesting read. I had always assumed much more paint and other finishes contained lead.

As far as the EPA, here is Chris’ link from another thread that is the only comprehensive document from the EPA explaining what in tarnation is going on:
http://epa.gov/lead/pubs/sbcomplianceguide.pdf

There website is nothing more than a tangleweb of mumbo jumbo. Even the application form for companies to become certified renovation firms uses ambiguous language by constantly using the word “should” in regard to things like taking training and certification courses to become a certified lead renovator.

]]> By: Darcy Warner http://www.remodelcrazy.com/2009/remodel-industry-news/the-great-epa-monkey-war-of-2010.html#comment-151 Darcy Warner Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:41:50 +0000 http://www.remodelcrazy.com/?p=1166#comment-151 I know one thing for sure. If I deal with all the red tape and all the classes, and spend money to abide by the rules, you better watch out if you don't. Because if I know you (any carpenter/contractor) are not, I am going to spill the beans on you. Might make you think I am a self-rightous prick but, play by the rules or go find some other game to play. It is not going to be a free ride no matter what anyone thinks. I know one thing for sure.
If I deal with all the red tape
and all the classes, and spend money to abide by the rules,
you better watch out if you don’t.

Because if I know you (any carpenter/contractor) are not,
I am going to spill the beans on you.
Might make you think I am a self-rightous prick but,
play by the rules or go find some other game to play.

It is not going to be a free ride no matter what anyone thinks.

]]> By: Sean Lintow Sr http://www.remodelcrazy.com/2009/remodel-industry-news/the-great-epa-monkey-war-of-2010.html#comment-149 Sean Lintow Sr Tue, 08 Dec 2009 02:48:15 +0000 http://www.remodelcrazy.com/?p=1166#comment-149 Back when the new pamphlet came out, it showed three simple steps to be done & as I wrote in my blog at the time "The three basic tenants of Lead Safety practices are to contain the work area, minimize dust & clean thoroughly. At SLS Construction those 3 principles are adhered to no matter what the age of the building is or the size of the project. After April 2010 or per a Homeowners request, the EPA is recommending that a Lead Dust Test be completed." It is amazing how much they have changed those 3 simple steps into a full blown "asbestos" style containment system. As it was originally described by them, it should have only run about $35 a job which was probably pretty close. Now it appears that it will add anywhere from $200 and up depending on the job. The worst jump will occur to those that install or work on windows and door (which the government is promoting for energy savings) - they will either have to do all their work from outside with the inside opening fully taped up, or setup a full containment area's inside & outside for each window and door. This right there can easily double or triple the labor hours for each window replaced. The other issue waiting to rear it's ugly head is the testing. Back when this first came out - they were still working on the Lead Dust Test. Now it is to use a Swifter & compare it to a picture to see if everything is clean enough. While this might seem to be a joke, it at least made sure that you did clean up the area and removed all the dust. That isn't good enough for certain groups which are pushing for third party testing to make sure no lead dust is anywhere in the area's worked on including the carpets that were covered. If this does keep up, I can see quite a few Homeowner's going - your kidding me & either not doing the work, or finding someone who will do it on the sly. The measure as it stands now truly needs to be scrapped & simple "best practices" drawn up including referencing existing rules & regs from OSHA, DOE, & HUD. Back when the new pamphlet came out, it showed three simple steps to be done & as I wrote in my blog at the time “The three basic tenants of Lead Safety practices are to contain the work area, minimize dust & clean thoroughly. At SLS Construction those 3 principles are adhered to no matter what the age of the building is or the size of the project. After April 2010 or per a Homeowners request, the EPA is recommending that a Lead Dust Test be completed.”

It is amazing how much they have changed those 3 simple steps into a full blown “asbestos” style containment system. As it was originally described by them, it should have only run about $35 a job which was probably pretty close. Now it appears that it will add anywhere from $200 and up depending on the job.

The worst jump will occur to those that install or work on windows and door (which the government is promoting for energy savings) – they will either have to do all their work from outside with the inside opening fully taped up, or setup a full containment area’s inside & outside for each window and door. This right there can easily double or triple the labor hours for each window replaced.

The other issue waiting to rear it’s ugly head is the testing. Back when this first came out – they were still working on the Lead Dust Test. Now it is to use a Swifter & compare it to a picture to see if everything is clean enough. While this might seem to be a joke, it at least made sure that you did clean up the area and removed all the dust. That isn’t good enough for certain groups which are pushing for third party testing to make sure no lead dust is anywhere in the area’s worked on including the carpets that were covered.

If this does keep up, I can see quite a few Homeowner’s going – your kidding me & either not doing the work, or finding someone who will do it on the sly.

The measure as it stands now truly needs to be scrapped & simple “best practices” drawn up including referencing existing rules & regs from OSHA, DOE, & HUD.

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