Waukesha County Home

With a flurry of home remodeling and improvement projects going on, NARI Mil- waukee is reminding homeowners to be lead aware and lead safe. "Whether you're working with a contrac- tor or doing a small project on your own, homes built before 1978 used lead-based paint. It's usually the walls and window trim that generate the most lead dust and require specific containment steps to keep everyone safe and healthy," said John Nehmey, president of Nehmey Construc- tion Inc., a member of NARI Milwaukee and a certified Lead-Safe Renovator. Lead is a naturally occurring element found in small amounts in the earth's crust. Prior to 1978, it was used to stabilize many products such as paint, varnish, gasoline, plastics and more. While it has beneficial uses, it can be toxic to humans and animals. Lead poisoning is considered a housing- based disease because most exposures for young children occur in homes built before 1978. More than half of the homes built before 1978 contain some lead-based paint, and its presence is more common in homes built before 1960. Lead poisoning is an environmental dis- ease that can cause brain damage. It can result in reduced IQ and attention span, learning disabilities, developmental delays and a range of other health and behavioral effects. In 1978, lead was banned from being added to paint and varnish for residential use. However, because lead was added to products for many years, the lead is still present in the underlying layers of paint and varnish. "In older homes, there's usually a few layers of lead-based paint on the walls and trim or exterior of the home. That means, once you start cutting into walls, taking them down or removing windows, you're dealing with lead dust," explains Nehmey. "There are specific steps contractors must take to keep the dust contained and prevent it from getting into adjoining rooms or the HVAC system." Knowing the rules Homeowners considering a renovation or repair to a pre-1978 home should be aware of Wisconsin's lead safe renovation rules. They should assume the house contains lead unless an inspection and lead test shows it does not. Especially during demolition, the lead- based paint chips and particles can mix with the dust caused by standard construc- tion, which could be breathed in or swal- lowed. Contractors must be certified Lead- Safe Renovators to perform or direct work on homes containing lead because they are trained to control and contain the dust and debris, minimizing the risk. Lead-safe contractors implement a full safety protocol including, but not limited to, wearing personal protection equipment, containing the work area so dust and debris do not escape, covering floors and sealing doors, vents and air ducts. On a daily basis, the work area should be cleaned using a HEPA vacuum and wiping down surfaces to remove any residual dust particles and properly disposing of all materials and debris. "We're a certified Lead-Safe Renovator which means our company and employees have had special training along with con- tinuing education classes to maintain our certification," says Nehmey. "We take it seriously because of the impact specifically to children and expecting mothers who could be exposed through ingestion of lead paint dust." When planning a remodel in a pre-1978 home, verify that your contractors are Lead-Safe Renovator certified. They should give you a copy of the Environmental Pro- tection Agency pamphlet "The Lead-Safe Certified Guide to Renovate Right" and have you sign a confirmation of receipt. A list of certified lead-safe companies can be found on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website. In addition, prior to the start of any ren- ovation or repair, the contractor should provide an occupant protection plan and checklist that describes how the contractor will protect people and possessions during lead abatement work. By following lead- safe practices, your contractor can prevent lead hazards to you, your family and pets. A number of remodeling and home improvement professionals who are lead- safe certified will be at the NARI Milwau- kee Spring Home Improvement Show, May 21-23, at State Fair Park. Show information is available at narimilwaukeehomeshow. com or by calling 414-771-4071. MAY 2021 HOME 5 NARI Milwaukee issues lead safe warning Be safe before you renovate While lead was banned from paint and other products in 1978, in older homes there are commonly layers of lead-based paint on the exterior and interi- or walls. When remodeling work is done, including cutting into walls and removing win- dows, lead dust can circulate. Remodelers can take steps to mitigate the dust from getting into HVAC systems and into other rooms. A list of certified lead-safe companies can be found on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website.

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