Whats the deal with lead based paint?
Until 1978 much of the household paint used in Tulsa and throughout the country was lead based. Lead was put in the paint because it gave the paint superior durability. It made the paint more weather resistant. It helped the paint resist the growth of mold and mildew, and helped prevent the corrosion of metal substrates. Lead was also added to help paint dry faster. In addition to that, lead was used as a pigment, as it made colors more vibrant.
After realizing that the lead in paint was causing harm to children and adults, lead based paint was banned in the United States in 1978 for residential properties.
Common painting and renovation actives such as scraping, sanding, cutting, nailing, and demolition can cause this lead based paint become dust and chips. This friable debris can pose a threat to people living in and working in the property.
To avoid this problem, on April 22, 2008, the EPA issued the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule. This rule states that all contractors doing work on houses built be
fore 1978 must be EPA Certified. Not only must the contractor be a certified firm, the employees in charge of carrying out the work must be certified workers. There are strict rules surrounding the disruption of lead based paint.
Why do I need to worry about lead based paint? Why can’t I just hire a non certified company to do the work cheaper?
Lead paint is dangerous to children and adults alike. If you don’t take the correct steps and hire a certified lead based paint contractor as your tulsa painter, you will be putting yourself, your children, and anyone else who comes to your home at risk. How would harming a child rest on your conscience?
Some of the associated health affects include:
- Damage to the brain and nervous system
- Behavior and learning problems
- Slowed growth
- Hearing problems
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Constipation
- Anemia
- Kidney failure
- Irritability
- Lethargy
- Learning disabilities
- Behavioral problems.
- Slow development of normal childhood behaviors, such as talking and use of words, and permanent mental retardation are both commonly seen.
What does it mean to hire a certified lead based paint renovator?
If you live in a house built before 1978, hiring a certified renovator for your Tulsa paint project is important. If you hire a non certified painter, you are taking risks with the health of your self and your family. You are also risking environmental contamination.
There are paint contractors out there who will do the work without being certified. They do this to save a little money, but they put you, your family and themselves in risk. Is it really worth it to save a little money? In the long run (or even the short run) these painters will be out of business. There are steep fines associated with working without a certification. Most of the time these tulsa painters will be out of business in a year or less and you will never hear from them again. Don’t expect any warranty from a non certified painter to be worth anything.
A certified lead based Tulsa Painter will make sure all the rules are followed and that your property and family are safe from lead based paint debri. A certified Tulsa Painter will use lead safe work practices to make sure dust and debris from your paint job are collected and disposed of in a safe manner compliant with EPA Regulations.
Is Dukes Painting a Certified Lead based Paint Renovator?
Yes, Dukes Painting is one of the few certified paint companies in Tulsa Oklahoma. Our license number is NAT-121768-1. You can verify our current standing, or find out if any painter is certified by visiting the EPA’s online listing of certified renovators. http://cfpub.epa.gov/flpp/searchrrp_firm.htm
Dukes Painting is committed to bringing great service and painting to Tulsa Oklahoma and we strive to be the best paint contractor around. Please take a look at our Tulsa Painter Reviews.
Additional Lead Paint Resources.
EPA online listing of certified painters http://cfpub.epa.gov/flpp/searchrrp_firm.htm
Wikipedia entry on Lead Based Paint http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_poisoning
EPAs website with everything you need to know about lead based paint http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm
City of Tulsa Oklahoma FAQ regarding lead based paint http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm
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