I recently attended my bi-annual lead paint Risk Assessor training class. It became clear that most people would not understand the terms used to address a surface with lead paint or varnish. In this article, I will clarify the important terms that we use. I will also clarify some of the options in dealing with a deteriorated surface.
In this blog, I have made references to regulations that are specific to the State of Ohio. If you live in another state, then you can use this information to identify what applies to your state.
Generally we are referring to either paint or varnish.
This term describes any surface coating that is considered hazardous to human health. Keep in mind, this is as described in 3701-32-19 of the Ohio Administrative Code.
We must compare samples to EPA or HUD threshold values. There are three methods to report a lab analysis. They are: 1 mg/cm2, 0.5% by weight, and 5,000 ppm by weight.
This is either an interior or exterior paint that is peeling, chipping, chalking, or cracking. It can also refer to damage from an impact (i.e. door shutting), or a friction surface (i.e. window going up and down).
This term describes the danger of exposure to lead. Specifically lead that contains materials as set forth in 3701-32-19 of the Ohio Administrative Code. The term Lead Hazard includes lead-based paint, lead contaminated dust, soil and water pipes. The U.S.EPA and HUD have published maximum concentrations of lead for each of these materials.
This inspection is a “surface by surface” investigation to determine the presence of lead-based paint. This means each wall, baseboard, ceiling, window and window casing, door and door casing is sampled or tested as described in 3701-32-06 of the Ohio Administrative Code. The lead inspector must be licensed. And the laboratory approved by the state of Ohio.
This type of assessment means a visual inspection of a home, childcare facility, or school. It aims to find deteriorated paint, dust, paint chips, debris, or residue that may be lead-based. This assessment does not include collecting samples for lab tests.
This is a site assessment. It will search for and report any lead hazards in a commercial building, such as a child care or school facility. It will also assess their nature, severity, and location.
If a child under 6 has two blood tests with lead levels over 10 ug/dl, the State of Ohio will do a Risk Assessment. This assessment identifies the lead hazards on the property that are causing the elevated lead in the child’s body.
A Lead Hazard Compliance Order is issued based on the Risk Assessment. It provides tasks the homeowner must complete within 90 days. If the affected child's family owns the property, the state may allow them to do the work. If the property is a rental, a licensed contractor will need to do the work.
When the work is completed, a Clearance Test will need to be conducted to show the safe occupancy of the home.
This is referred to as a “room equivalent.” This means it is a living space outside the home. Normally this is a patio, sun room, or front porch.
This area is normally identified by children’s toys, furniture, or other indications of play activities. It does not to be an enclosed area such as a screened porch.
This is an interior or exterior surface that is subject to damage by repeated sudden force. This could be certain parts of door frames or the bottom of window wells.
A HEPA vacuum is designed with a special filter on the exhaust discharge. The term HEPA means High Efficiency Particulate Arrester. It can remove 99.97% of particles larger than 0.3 microns in size. A vacuum with a HEPA filter attachment often does not give the same filtration performance as a vacuum designed for this purpose.
This describes using barriers to contain dust from removing old paint or building materials. It is important to keep these from places where you do not want them. Normally these containment areas are constructed with plastic. The process includes laying plastic over a carpeted floor.
This means coating or sealing a surface with a durable material that is specifically formulated to be elastic. It is able to withstand sharp impacts, long-lasting, and resilient. It must also be resistant to cracking, peeling, algae, fungus and UV light.
The goal is to prevent any part of the lead containing paint from creating lead containing dust. Also it prevents the surface from being accessible to children.
An enclosure describes the resurfacing or covering of a lead hazard surface with a durable material. Wallboard or paneling are common materials used for an enclosure. The goal is to create a barrier to prevent lead containing dust or the surface being accessible to children.
An interim control is designed to temporarily reduce the potential for human exposure to a lead contaminant. They can include specialized cleaning, repairs, painting, or a temporary containment. Interim controls require maintenance. This requires a homeowner or tenant to have some education on how to inspect and address problems that develop.
Paint stabilization is the removal of a deteriorated coating and the reapplication of a new coating. This also may include repairing any physical defect in the substrate of the surface that is causing the deterioration.
This is the term used to describe the permanent elimination of a lead hazard. This can be the removal of the paint using approved methods. It can also be the permanent enclosure or encapsulation of the lead paint or the removal or replacement of surfaces with the lead paint.
If a contractor is hired to complete these activities, normally a clearance test is recommended or required. This will demonstrate the safe occupancy of the building.
Understanding the terminology related to lead-based paint is essential for anyone involved in property maintenance, especially when navigating compliance with local regulations. Whether you’re a homeowner, property manager, or contractor, having a clear grasp of terms like lead hazard, containment, and encapsulation will not only help ensure safety but also guide you in making informed decisions about managing lead risks.
Remember, while the definitions and regulations I’ve shared are specific to Ohio, similar principles apply across the U.S. Always check your state’s guidelines to ensure you are fully compliant.
At Farsight Management we understand that not all indoor air quality companies are created equal.
We feel that it is imperative to educate ourselves, our employees, and our customers. You can trust that we follow all the national standards in regards to indoor air quality. This includes mold remediation, lead abatement, asbestos removal, and everything that we do.