Have you heard about the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Renovation Repair and Painting (RRP) Program? The federal deadline to make lead safety the standard of care for renovations and painting projects in pre-1978 housing is April 22, 2010. Consistent with a 1992 federal law, the EPA announced a regulation in 2008 that requires painters, renovators, and others who disturb painted surfaces in pre-1978 housing and child care facilities to obtain training and certification and follow the work practices. Beginning April 22, 2010, no paid job can disturb painted surfaces in pre-1978 homes or child care facilities unless (1) the firm is certified by the EPA or a state and (2) the renovator has completed training and is a certified renovator. The only exceptions are where paint is proven lead free or the job is smaller than six square feet. Few people who work in pre-1978 properties will qualify for an exception, so the best option is to get certified. The New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services (DPHS), Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP), urges all persons and companies whose work breaks a painted surface to comply with the EPA RRP rules.

Lead hazards created by renovation and painting projects cause 1 in 3 known lead poisoning cases in New Hampshire. Using safe work practices before, during, and after such work prevents the spread of dangerous lead dust and paint chips. These practices include posting a warning sign, spreading plastic to pick up debris, refraining from sanders or other machines without a filter to prevent the spread of dust, thorough clean-up, and checking the work area. A day of training is enough to prepare a renovator, painter, property manager, plumber, electrician, or handyman to use these practices, and federal law now requires it.

The State of New Hampshire is exploring the possibility of operating the RRP program for the EPA. Right now, the EPA is implementing the requirements in New Hampshire. It is possible for EPA to manage the program, but states can be authorized to do this for them. To support full understanding and thorough compliance with the RRP program and to give stakeholders what they need to help renovators be able to comply, the NH DPHS CLPPP is investigating if and how we can implement the program. The question facing lead poisoning prevention stakeholders is: can we afford to, or not to, have the state run the RRP program?

Southern Region:

Date and Time: Wednesday, February 3, 2010, from 9:00 am- 12:00pm

Location: Manchester Health Department, 1528 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03101

Website: www.manchesternh.gov/website/Departments/Health/ContactUs/Directions/tabid/699/Default.aspx

Lakes Region:

Date and Time: Thursday, February 4, 2010, from 9:00 am- 12:00pm

Location: Franklin Regional Hospital, Room C, 15 Aiken Avenue, Franklin, NH 03235

Website: www.lrgh.org/patients.aspx?id=414

Location: Sullivan County Commissioner’s Office, Juror’s Assembly Room, 14 Main Street, Newport, NH 03773

Website: www.sullivancountynh.gov