What are the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program Rules in California?
The EPA’s 2008 Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule, aims to protect the public from lead-based paint hazards associated with renovation, repair and painting activities. The rule requires workers to be certified and trained in the use of lead-safe work practices, and requires renovation, repair, and painting firms to be EPA-certified as of April 22, 2010.
Why is California’s RRP Rule Important?
Lead paint can be disturbed when lead paint is sanded or scraped, allowing microscopic particles of the metal to mingle with the dust that is created. This “lead-containing” dust can seriously impact people’s health, especially children and pregnant woman.
Lead can cause a long list of problems, including:
- Learning and behavioral problems,
- Kidney disease,
- High blood pressure,
- Miscarriage, and
- Birth defects
Experts also contend that lead poisoning can cause depression, aggressive behavior and lead poisoning doubles the number of children in special education classes. Currently, there is no safe level of lead exposure. Any amount is bad for you.
Who Does California’s RRP Rule Apply To?
Since 2003, California’s lead-based paint related regulations have been in effect. The Repair and Painting Rule (RRP) went in effect on April 22, 2010.
The RRP rule applies to anyone who works in pre-1978 housing and/or child-occupied facilities who might disturb painted surfaces, including:
- General contractors,
- Demolition workers,
- Remodeling contractors,
- Maintenance workers in multi-family housing, as well as,
- Painters, plumbers and most specialty trades
The RRP rule applies to all persons working for rental property owners, schools, and day care providers, as well as, non-profits and governmental agencies. It covers jobs like renovation, remodeling, painting, window replacement, plumbing, electrical work, heating & air-conditioning, demolition, plus work performed by trades like carpenters, electricians, and handymen.
Where Does the RRP Rule Apply?
The RRP rule applies to “Target Housing” and “Child-Occupied Facilities”, which are defined as follows:
Target Housing – a house or apartment (including mobile homes) built before January 1, 1978. The only exceptions are:
- 0-bedrooom units (like dorm rooms or studio apartments),
- Housing that is officially designated for the elderly or the handicapped,
- Housing that has been tested by a State Certified Lead Inspector and found to be free of lead-based paint.
Child-Occupied Facility – a building, or portion of a building, constructed prior to 1978 visited by the same child, 6 years-old or younger, on at least 2 different days within any week, provided that each day’s visit lasts at least 3 hours, combined weekly visits last at least 6 hours, and the combined annual visits last at least 60 hours. Facilities may include, but are not limited to, day-care centers, preschools and kindergarten classrooms.
What Else Do I Need to Know About the RRP Rule in California?
In California, contractors are forbidden from testing paint. California law requires contractors to assume all surfaces in all structures before 1978 contain lead-based paint, unless they have been tested and found to be “lead-based paint free” by a State Certified Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor, like Rarefied Air Environmental. State certified individuals/businesses are the only ones able to test for lead-based paint in California.
If you are concerned about exposure to lead or lead poisoning, you should contact a State Certified Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor like Rarefied Air Environmental today for a free quote!