CONTACT: Kathy Raab, CAE
Executive Director
608-222-0670
Madison, WI, October 23, 2011 — Small children and pregnant women are in danger of lead poisoning if the demolition phase of a pre-1978 home renovation isn’t handled properly. To commemorate National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 23-29, 2011 the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and its members are reaching out to community organizations, such as Parent-Teacher Associations, to educate and raise awareness of the dangers of lead poisoning that can be caused by the demolition phase of a remodeling project.
Nearly a quarter of a million children living in the United States have blood lead levels high enough to cause significant damage to their health, estimates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), based on data from a 2003–2004 national survey. One source of lead exposure among U.S. children is lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust found in buildings built before 1978.
If high blood lead levels are not detected early, children with such high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from damage to the brain and nervous system. They can develop behavior and learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems, and aggressive patterns of behavior.
Despite the continued presence of lead in the environment, lead poisoning is entirely preventable. As of April 22, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) passed new regulations for contractors working in homes built before 1978. The Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule mandates that remodelers who intend to work in pre-1978 homes to register their company and complete an 8-hour training and certification course with an accredited trainer. The course teaches remodelers how to safely contain lead in a home as it is being disturbed and reduce exposure to residents and workers.
Homeowners should be aware that this new rule is enforced and should be skeptical of any contractors who choose not to follow the law. Visit http://www.nari.org to find a Certified Lead Renovator in your area.
Pregnant women are also vulnerable to lead poisoning. There is a good chance that any home, building, school or daycare center built before 1978 contains lead paint. Just a few particles of dust from lead-based paint are enough to poison a child; the effects can last a lifetime.
The disturbance of lead paint in home renovation creates lead dust. It is vitally important that homeowners understand lead hazards and how they can protect themselves and their children from lead poisoning, particularly if home renovation or remodeling are on the horizon.
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is a professional trade association whose members advocate for consumer awareness and protection from lead poisoning.
NARI members represent a select group from the approximately 800,000 companies and individuals in the U.S. identifying themselves as professional remodelers.
NARI is a professional association whose members voluntarily subscribe to a strict code of ethics. Consumers may wish to search http://www.nariremodelers.com to find a qualified professional who is a member of NARI. For the latest information on green remodeling, visit http://www.GreenRemodeling.org.
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About NARI: The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the only trade association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. The Association, which represents more 63,000 remodeling industry professionals — is “The Voice of the Remodeling Industry.”™ To locate a local NARI chapter or a remodeling professional, visit NARI’s Web site at http://www.NARIremodelers.com, or contact the national headquarters, based in Des Plaines, Illinois, at 800-611-NARI.
