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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Long Beach CA, the sewer by the sea.
Posts: 37,792
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I have studied this issue extensively and have had a meeting with 2 contractors that have taken the course for certification. The truth lies somewhere in the middle here.
For example, in the EPA .pdf literature, it's the total area of the object being replaced, not the slit one might make removing moldings. So, an average entry door with jambs in their eyes, is somewhere around 25 sq. ft. for one side. Furthering the analysis of the OP's theory, the area inside must be covered, but only the work area. So, if the work is only accesable by walking through the home, that's one thing. However, using the exterior door as an example, a temporary barrier may be installed on floor to ceiling poles commonly used today for dust control. The barrier would only be a few lineal feet with no furniture inside. When taking this down, all the certified worker has to do is first vacuum the area with a HEPA vac and then wet the plastic with a mist of water, fold inward to contain any dust, bag and dispose. The final step is to wipe down nearby surfaces with a treated cloth that will show lead. The technician then places the cloth in a baggie (hopefully with no lead present) and keep in storage along with records for a period of 3 years. Post testing of removed debris is not mandatory, only that it is bagged and covered before removal to a waste facility. If it has lead, this is mandatory. You won't see anymore wheelbarrows coming out of houses to be dumped in an open dumpster. Everything will be bagged. On large renovations of older homes, this just means all the demolition will take place in one operation ahead of any construction ans will be done inside a sealed environment. Once the old plaster and painted wood is removed, the area will be cleaned and construction can proceed in a normal fashion. Of course, testing is one way, or simply taking the precautions as if lead is present in underlying layers is the other, whether it's there or not. Homeowners are exempt, so they could remove the old door themselves before the contractor starts work. Also, homes suspected of having lead in layers of paint and occupied by older residents (I forget the age they give) and have no visitations by children (there are specifics to this as well) can be exempted by owner waiver. As I said, I know enough about the subject to be certified. It is an area of concern for me and I will be taking steps to ensure I don't work where there are children in older homes. I don't need the problems that are sure to come with this new and very real regulation. |
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10-03-2010, 12:28 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Long Beach CA, the sewer by the sea.
Posts: 37,792
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Quote:
Secondly, once anything is removed from a home under the new regulations, it's out of harm's way. Off site post testing is redundant. Both of these fees listed are not appropriate for the job described if you read the entire 100 page EPA document, which I have. The total cost of the job would be $890 if all regs were followed under the new law and the contractor forewent testing and simply went about the job as if it had lead. So, less than double. And that's letting him have 400 for clean up on a 340 job. I've heard of contractors adding another 150 for the exercise of putting up the plastic screen and taking it down. So, they would get a total of 640 now. And you get less of a mess. Last edited by milt; 10-03-2010 at 12:49 PM.. |
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10-03-2010, 12:42 PM
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