The Lead Professional Certification Program requires training and certification of lead professionals, including lead inspectors, elevated blood lead inspectors, visual risk assessors, lead abatement contractors, lead abatement workers, and lead-safe renovators. It also requires certification of the firms that employ certified lead professionals.
Lead Professional Certification ensures that lead inspectors and/or risk assessors and visual risk assessors are properly trained and certified to identify lead hazards and to assure that lead hazards have been remediated. Certification also ensures that lead abatement contractors, lead abatement workers, and lead-safe renovators are properly trained and certified to conduct abatement that will properly eliminate lead hazards and to conduct renovation, remodeling, and painting in a safe manner.
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Renovation can disturb paint. This includes sanding, cutting, and demolition. Renovation in pre-1978 buildings can create lead dust and chips. These can hurt adults and children.
In 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued rules for renovation. They apply to renovation in pre-1978 housing (target housing). They also apply to pre-1978 child-occupied facilities (daycare centers, kindergartens).
Beginning April 22, 2010, renovators across the nation must be certified. They must also follow lead-safe work practices. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) will carry out these rules in Iowa. Certified people will be called βlead-safe renovators.β
Target housing: Housing built before 1978.
Child-occupied facilities: Home daycares, daycare centers, preschools, kindergarten classrooms, or other buildings built before 1978.
Any work that disturbs painted surfaces in pre-1978 homes and child-occupied facilities. Some examples are:
Removing painted components such as doors and windows.
Repairing a painted surface or preparing it for repainting.
Replacing windows.
Removing walls and ceilings.
Who must comply with the rules?
Anyone who disturbs paint in target housing and child-occupied facilities. This includes:
Renovation and remodeling contractors.
Contractors who replace windows and doors.
Rental property owners.
Maintenance workers.
Painters.
Some plumbers and electricians.
Companies that conduct renovation must be certified as a lead-safe renovator firm. You must assign at least one certified lead-safe renovator to each job. The certified lead-safe renovator must train other uncertified workers on each job. Workers must use lead-safe work practices. There is no fee for firm certification.
The certified lead-safe renovator must assure that:
Signs to warn occupants not to enter the work area.
Dust and debris are contained to the work area.
Waste material is contained, stored, and transported safely.
Prohibited work practices are not used.
The work area is cleaned.
The work area passes post-renovation cleaning verification or clearance testing with dust samples.
Complete and maintain records about the project.
The rule does not apply to:
Lead abatement. Lead abatement conducted by lead abatement contractor.
Surfaces where there is no lead-based paint. Surfaces tested and determined not to be painted with lead-based paint are exempt from the lead-safe work practices. However, testing surfaces for lead-based paint requires documentation and certification.
Owner-occupant. A property owner can do work in a property where the person or immediate family lives.
Minor repor or maintenance activities. Activities that disturb less than the established minimum areas. The minimum area for minor repair and maintenance activities is:
Less than 1.0 square foot of an interior painted or finished wood surface per renovation; or
Less than 6.0 square feet of a painted or finished drywall or plaster surface per room; or
Less than 20.0 square feet of an exterior painted or finished surface per renovation.
Work must be done immediately for an elevated blood lead (EBL) child. Work performed in response to an EBL inspection must pass clearance testing. This must be done by an EBL inspector/risk assessor. Post-renovation cleaning verification cannot be used.
People who perform this work are initially exempt from certification. However, they must be certified within six months of the EBL inspection. They can be certified as a lead safe renovator, lead abatement worker, or lead abatement contractor.
Yes, this rule has not changed. Contractors must notify the owner and occupants when they disturb paint in target housing and child-occupied facilities.
Yes, however certification with the State of Iowa is still required.
Individuals certified in other states or with EPA can get certified in Iowa without taking additional training in Iowa. Contact the Iowa Department of Public Health, Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 1-800-972-2026 for an application for reciprocal.
Keep up to date with any new or relevant information related to Lead Professional Certification by joining the listserv. The Department will use this as a primary way to distribute information to those interested in issues related Lead Professional Certification. The Department anticipates significant changes to this program in 2017.
In April 2010, regulations impacting renovation work in pre-1978 residential housing (target housing) and child-occupied facilities became effective nationwide. These rules require at least one certified lead-safe renovator per renovation and the use of specific lead-safe work practices. In Iowa, the Iowa Dept of Public Health has the authority to implement this program. These rules are found in 641 - Chapter 70 of the Iowa Administrative Code. PDF
