Monica Sommerfeldt Lewis has obtained her Lead Safe Renovator Certification and registered Archer Lion as a Lead Safe Company. This allows Archer Lion to comply with EPA regulations going into effect April 22, 2010 and perform work in homes built prior to 1978. Any work involving replacement of windows in homes built prior to 1978 must be done by a Lead Safe Renovator working for a Lead Safe Company.

The new Wisconsin rules comply with the Federal EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)  Renovation, Repair & Painting (RR&P) rule. Wisconsin enacted these rules to protect young children who are particularly vulnerable to the effects of lead.

The Environmental Protection Agency enacted the RR&P rule to protect young children during renovation activity in homes, child care facilities and schools built before 1978. Lead was not banned from paint until 1978 so disturbing paint during renovation activity in housing built before 1978 can create dust that contains lead. Lead-tainted dust is a serious health hazard for workers, occupants and their families, especially young children. 

Lead interferes with the normal development of a young child’s brain, resulting in lowered IQ, attention disorders, developmental delays and aggressive behavior problems. Children who are lead poisoned go on to have higher rates of high school dropout, teen pregnancy, juvenile delinquency and violent crime as young adults.  They are also more likely to suffer as adults from kidney disease, diabetes, cognitive deficits such as memory loss and Alzheimer’s, and early death from high blood pressure, stroke and heart attack.

The new rules require that renovation contractors who disturb lead-based paint must be lead-safe certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Contractors must provide a pamphlet called Renovate Right to the occupants of the housing. Also, they must inform the occupants about how the work areas will be set up, what work practices will be used to minimize dust and debris, how work areas will be cleaned, and what is to be expected after the work is completed. 

Contact us today to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

To read about Lead paint and Children: http://dhs.wi.gov/lead/Protect.htm

More information for contractors is available on our NEWS tab including links to rules, forms and classes.