North Carolina now has stronger rules requiring the use of lead-safe work practices and other actions to prevent lead poisoning when lead-based paint is disturbed during renovation and remodeling work.
Lead-contaminated dust, particularly from old paint, is the most significant source of lead exposure for children. Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint.
The State of North Carolina was authorized to administer and enforce a Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program. The North Carolina program, to be administered by the state Division of Public Health, has been certified to be at least as protective as the Environmental Protection Agency’s RRP program and to provide adequate enforcement.
The N.C. RRP program, like the EPA’s, mandates that contractors and paid workers doing renovations, construction or repairs in homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978, must be trained and certified, and must use lead-safe work practices. The Program rules can be found http://epi.publichealth.nc.gov/lead/lhmp.html They are also required to provide the lead pamphlet “Renovate Right; Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools” to owners and occupants before starting renovation work in those buildings. This EPA publication is also available on-line at http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovaterightbrochure.pdf