Painting preparation can protects kids, others from lead poisoning

    It’s summertime — a good time to tackle home improvements — but because Maine has many older homes, these home improvements can expose adults and children to lead poisoning.     In fact, repainting or remodeling is likely responsible for about half of the highly lead-poisoned children in Maine.
    Any house built before 1978 may have lead paint.
    If you are having your house or rental property painted this summer, remember, improper paint removal can contaminate your home and yard with lead and can poison your kids, kids that visit, or your neighbors’ kids.
    Children who are lead-poisoned may suffer severe and permanent damage such as decreased growth, hyperactivity, impaired hearing, behavioral problems, and learning disabilities.
    If your project will disturb old paint, take the following two steps to prevent lead from contaminating your home or your yard:
    First, hire a contractor who has completed the Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) approved “Lead-Smart Renovator” course.
    The DEP provides people who have completed this course with an identification card to show that they have received this important training. Ask your contractor to show you this “Lead-Safe Renovator” card, and if they don’t have one, you can tell them they can find out about the free one-day course needed to get this card by calling the DEP Lead Program at (207) 287-2651, or toll-free at 1-800-452-1942.
    Second, have the contractor sign a contract that requires them to use lead-safe work practices on your project. Maine’s “Home Construction Contract Law” requires contractors to use a model contract that has been developed by the Maine Attorney General’s office for any home renovation project that costs more than $3,000.
    Even if your project costs less than $3,000, you can continue to use this contract.
    In all cases, you should be sure to add lead-safe work practice specifications to the standard contract language. Both the model contract language and suggested lead-safe work practice specifications are available on-line by going to www.MaineDEP.com and entering the keyword “Lead.”
    You can also find out much more information on the free lead-safe renovation training, lead poisoning, and lead hazard prevention by visiting this site.
    Any contractor that does not use a written contract to meet the requirements of Maine’s “Home Construction Contract Law” is subject to civil penalties (payable to the State) of up to $1,000.
    Consumers dissatisfied with construction work can claim in court that their contractor committed an unfair trade practice by failing to use a written contract that meets Maine’s standards.
    By spelling out work practices and site preparations that minimize the spread of lead dust in your painting contract, you help prevent lead poisoning.
    This helps minimize a significant public health risk to our children, and helps keep our environment clean, right in your own back yard.
    This column was submitted by Carole Cifrino, an environmental specialist with the Maine DEP’s Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management. In Our Back Yard is a weekly column of DEP. E-mail your environmental questions to infoDEP@maine.gov or send them to In Our Back Yard, Maine DEP, 17 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.