Lead Based Paint
What is Lead & Why is it Harmful?
Lead is one of the seven metals of antiquity. Its discovery has been traced to the development of processes for metal refining. The finding of the precious metal (silver) as an “impurity” in lead ore resulted in a surge in the mining of lead ore.
Archaeologists have found lead pigments on buildings built around 3000 B.C. The color is still easy to see after 5000 years. This quality of lead pigments helps explain one of the reasons it was used as an additive in paint for centuries. Lead Based Paint was also durable and could resist the effects of moisture and weather changes. High-lead paint was valued as high-quality paint and, although used on all surfaces, was particularly used in high-use and moisture prone areas of housing, such as kitchens, bathrooms, floors, and exteriors. However even in the 19th century when harmful health effects were observed in the manufacture and use of lead, increasing amounts of lead were mined, smelted, and used as pigments in paint and in many other products. The peak use of lead for household paints did not occur in the U.S. until the mid-1930s.
Lead-based paint is the major ultimate source of lead exposure to most children in the U.S. Most of the lead based paint was made with white lead, a chemical form of lead produced by the fermentation of elemental lead.
Lead-based paint that has weathered, chipped, peeled or been removed from painted surfaces is a potential hazard when it contaminates:
· Soil in residential yards and other play areas
· Dust inside houses, especially when the dust is accessible to children
· Dust on paved areas around the house, such as sidewalks, alleys, streets and parking lots.
· In and around public and private commercial type buildings
Washington’s Program
http://www.cted.wa.gov/site/515/default.aspx
Carrying out its mandate from the Washington’s legislature, CTED established a state lead-based paint program on June 10, 2004.
As of October 15, 2004, all contractors providing professional lead-based paint training or activities in Washington are now required to be certified by the Lead-Based Paint Program located within the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED). Performing such activities without LBP certification from CTED is a violation of Washington Administrative Code 365-230.
Washington’s program mirrors the national model, providing:
· Accreditation of trainers offering lead-based paint training courses
· Certification of lead-based paint professionals and firms
· Work practice standards for lead-based paint activities
Lead-based Paint Projects for both residential and commercial.
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries defines a lead-based paint to be a coating with any detectable lead. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and US Department of Housing and Development (HUD) have defined a lead-based coating as any coating containing greater than 1.0 mg/cm2 of lead.
Sullivan Painting Service, Inc., having fulfilled the certification requirements of WAC 365-230 for EPA and C-TED Region 10 and being certified to conduct lead-based paint activities pursuant to WAC 365-230-200, provides maintenance, stabilization, abatement. For quotes and consultation, contact kevin@sullivanpaintingservice.com.
