A new law went into effect in April that dramatically changes the game for contractors of every kind who are hired to renovate older homes — homes of which there are many in the Lower Naugatuck Valley.
Called the RRP Rule, for “renovate, repair and paint,” the law requires contractors who take jobs renovating homes built before 1978, before lead paint laws were enacted, to become certified in safe handling of lead-based paint.
It is a significant requirement because up to now contractors have not been required to take special training in any type of lead paint remediation or abatement. That was a specialty, left to lead abatement contractors.
The certification involves an 8‑hour course, taught by Environmental Protection Agency-certified schools like the Institute of Environmental Management and Technology, based on Roosevelt Drive in Derby.
The school began advertising the lead certfication for tradesmen courses in the last week of April.
It is an 8‑hour course, offered for $195.
The knowledge of lead handling is important for the painters, carpenters, electricians, plumbers and masons to learn, according to the EPA, because lead-based paint can become frail and start chipping into a fine dust, which can settle on surfaces including toys and floors, where children play.
Lead is more of a concern in older homes. Theoretically, homes built after 1978 would have no lead paint, but those that pre-date the ban could have a great deal of it, sometimes multiple layers of it. The most dangerous places for it to be found would be doors and windows, because there is a lot of friction at those points that causes the lead to break apart into dust. Children also handle those areas a great deal.
The EPA has certified 204 schools around the nation to offer the courses to the contractors and classes are filling up.
The brochure for renovators is on the EPA website, www.EPA.gov.
For more information, call the Institute of Environmental Management and Technology in Derby at 203 – 924-9544, extension 143.
