Bill's Building Blog

LeadCheck record-keeping forms

Keeping records for all RRP jobs is imperative. And it needn't be difficult if you're organized.

LeadCheck, one of the few test kits recognized by the EPA for testing for lead on wood and metal, makes available a full set of record-keeping forms. 

Download the full set of record-keeping forms

What's more important: heating or cooling?

If you're from a "heating climate," one where you spend most of your annual utility bill on heating your home in the winter, you have quite a different experience from those of us in a "cooling climate," where the bulk of our annual utility outlay is spent on air conditioning during the blazing hot summers.

I never considered one type of climate control more important that the other. But I have come across some articles lately on the federal budget cuts, one of which is cutting heating assistance for poor people, and one of the criticisms for the program is that some people use those funds for air conditioning.

This got me thinking: is heating really more vital to human well-being than air conditioning? I say no way! If you live in an area like I do where the temperature can be 100 degrees with 90 percent humidity, that is life-threatening, my friend. 

Some people think we're being extravagant down here in the south to use air conditioning. But do they feel they're being extravagant heating their homes in winter? We use very little energy down here in the south during the winter. I guess we could say to the northerners: man up and live in a cold house. But of course, I wouldn't say that.

Others say: Turn off your air conditioner because our ancestors lived without air conditioning. The truth is, houses back then were built to allow for air flow. There were tall ceilings and leaky walls and porches and transoms. 

Now the houses are tighter, with windows that barely open, and insulation in the walls.

If we are to cut down on air conditioning costs, we can either restore to our old homes the air-moving features of a century ago, or we can seal them up so a very little bit of air conditioning goes a long way.

No matter what we do, please don't discount our need for air conditioning. If you could experience what we experience down here, you'd know it's a matter of life and death, not just comfort.

In exchange, I won't challenge your need and right to warm your home in the winter. Deal?

LeadCheck still not approved for lead testing on drywall and stucco

Last year, I reported that LeadCheck swabs would soon be approved by the EPA for lead testing on drywall (sheetrock), plaster and stucco (in addition to wood and metal).

Unfortunately, that has not yet happened. Below are the EPA-approved test kits for various materials. Note that the State of Massachusetts administers its own program.

See the full EPA announcement

EPA fines painting company $32,508 for violating lead law, failing to inform homeowners of lead-paint dangers

Press release from the EPA:

(Seattle – April 6, 2011) College Works Painting, a company operating in Oregon, has agreed to pay $32,508 penalty for alleged violations of the federal pre-renovation rule. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency alleged that the Irvine, California based company violated the federal pre-renovation rule while renovating nine properties in Portland, McMinnville, and Hillsboro, Oregon. 

The federal Pre-Renovation Education Rule requires painters, contractors, carpenters, property-management companies and others involved in remodeling or renovation of pre-1978 housing to provide home owners and occupants with an EPA Renovate Right lead hazard information pamphlet. In 1978 lead was banned from paint used for housing.

This pamphlet educates home owners or occupants on how to minimize exposure to hazardous lead dust that is often generated during sanding, cutting, demolition or other renovation activities. The pamphlet also provides resources for more information about lead and minimizing lead hazards.

The violations in this case took place during renovation work done in 2008.

College Works failed to establish and maintain records necessary to demonstrate compliance with Toxic Substances Control Act regulations, according to the EPA. College Works has corrected the violations and is now in compliance with EPA’s Pre-Renovation Education Rule.

“Families have a right to know about possible lead health hazards around the home,” said Rick Albright, Director of EPA’s Office of Air, Waste and Toxics in Seattle. “By reading the Renovate Right pamphlet families can learn how to avoid hazardous lead dust during renovations.”

Lead-based paint can be on walls, ceilings, woodwork, windows, or even floors. When lead-based paint on these surfaces is chipped, sanded, or scraped, it breaks into tiny, barely visible pieces that children can swallow or inhale. Even small repair and renovation jobs, including repainting projects, can create enough lead dust and chips to harm children.

Lead poisoning is a silent disease that can cause serious health consequences for children because of its detrimental effects on both physical and mental development. Nearly one million children in the country are affected by elevated lead levels.

For copies of the Federal pamphlet, Renovate Right, the Federal Rule, or information on the hazards of lead paint, call 1-800-424-LEAD or via the Internet at: www.epa.gov/lead.

Free Building Class 11/13: Exterior Moisture Management for Your Home

From Bill Robinson at Train2Rebuild

Are you worried about moisture damage to your New Orleans home? You should be. 

Nationally there are somewhere between $5 billion and $9 billion in moisture damage claims each year. 

In New Orleans we are especially susceptible to moisture damage, not only from the rising tide but from the moisture in the air in the form of rain and humidity. 

As we repair, restore or renovate our homes we must keep the basics of moisture management in mind so our work is not only attractive but durable, energy efficient and healthy. 

This session will use the Four D’s to identify the basics of moisture management. 

• Deflection 

• Drainage 

• Drying 

• Durability 

Who:     Bill Robinson from Train2Rebuild (http://www.train2rebuild.com) 

What:     Free class for homeowners on moisture management

When:     Saturday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m. 

Where:     Old City Building Center, 341 N. Hennessey St., NOLA 

Cost:         FREE 

Contact:     504-782-5263 

Website:     http://www.ocbcnola.org 


Future Classes 

11/27/2010 and 12/4/2010 

Renovation, Remodeling and Painting Certification Class 

National Center for Healthy Homes Certification (NCHH) 

Instructor : Bill Robinson 

Cost: $250

Q&A: Does the EPA RRP Rule apply if an old space has never been painted?

From Bill Robinson and Train2Build

Question: Does the Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule apply where no paint at all is present, such as in a 100-year-old unfinished basement?

Answer: No.The RRP Rule applies to activities that result in the disturbance of painted surfaces.Where there is no paint to disturb, the RRP Rule does not apply.

See more about EPA RRP

Photo Source: Young House Love

Q&A: Can EPA RRP records be kept only on my computer?

Question: Under the RRP Rule, can the required records and documentation be stored electronically rather than as paper copies?

Answer: Yes. The renovation firm is responsible for retaining and making available to EPA all records necessary to demonstrate compliance with the RRP Rule for a period of 3 years following completion of the renovation. The RRP Rule does not specify the format in which records must be kept.

Search for more RRP Q&A

Jury finds asbestos air monitoring company and employees guilty of Clean Air Act and fraud violations

Asbestos Air Monitor Conspired With Asbestos Removal Companies to Falsify Lab Results, Hiding Incomplete Asbestos Removal in Homes, Schools and Other Buildings

WASHINGTON – A federal jury in Utica, N.Y. has found Certified Environmental Services Inc. (CES); two of its managers, Nicole Copeland and Elisa Dunn; and one of its employees, Sandy Allen, guilty of conspiring to aid and abet Clean Air Act violations, commit mail fraud, and defraud the United States, the Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today. The defendants were also convicted of substantive Clean Air Act violations and mail fraud counts. CES and Elisa Dunn were also convicted of making false statements to federal law enforcement.

Due to the false lab reports, people that lived or worked in these buildings were exposed to asbestos, putting them at risk of developing cancer or other asbestos-related diseases.

As alleged in the indictment, CES (an asbestos air monitoring company and accredited laboratory), and several of its senior employees, together with Aapex Environmental and Paragon Environmental (asbestos removal companies, having already pled guilty) conspired over the course of nearly a decade to falsify lab results used to prove that asbestos removal was done properly.

In numerous instances, asbestos removal companies represented that homes, schools and other buildings were free of asbestos contamination when asbestos debris remained behind.

Owners of local homes and buildings were unaware that asbestos had been left behind from sloppy abatement work because air quality reports were falsified by CES and its supervisors and employees. Due to the false lab reports, people that lived or worked in these buildings were exposed to asbestos, putting them at risk of developing cancer or other asbestos-related diseases. EPA investigators have notified affected building owners of the asbestos problem so proper clean up can be conducted.

See the rest of the story at: www.justice.gov; Photo Source

Dispatched from Bill Robinson and Train2Rebuild.

EPA's RRP Rule — From the historic restoration contractor's perspective

I, for one, am in favor of increased protection from lead paint, so our company intends to fully comply with the rules.

— Mark Landry, Historic Restoration Contractor

Most people have probably heard by now about the new rules put into place by the EPA concerning lead paint and renovations. The goal of the rules is to increase awareness of the danger of lead paint and decrease the risk of harm to occupants of old homes where lead paint is present. The rules apply to projects that involve renovation or painting of houses built prior to 1978 (when lead paint was banned). 

As a historic restoration contracting company here in Massachusetts, almost all of the buildings that we work on contain lead paint so we need to pay close attention to the requirements.

The rules, known as the RRP (Repair, Renovate, and Paint) guidelines have four main components.  The first is notification. Contractors must notify their clients to the dangers of lead paint. This is done by giving them a copy of the EPA's Renovate Right booklet.

The second component is certification: any company working on buildings that contain lead paint must be certified. The EPA logo on our home page shows that we have completed this step. In addition, workers must receive training and be individually certified to carry out renovations involving lead paint. Our carpenters have received this training (as have I).

Read the whole article at: www.landmarkservices.com

Dispatched from Train2Rebuild and Bill's Building Blog

Q&A: Must my firm be EPA RRP certified if the subcontractors are certified?

Question: As a general contractor, we subcontract the entire renovation job to other companies rather than using our own employees. Under the Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule, does my firm need to have a certified renovator at the site?

Answer: Not necessarily. All firms performing renovations, including general contractors, must ensure that all individuals performing renovation activities on behalf of the firm are either certified renovators or have been trained by a certified renovator.

A firm acting as a general contractor may satisfy this requirement by hiring another certified firm that also takes responsibility for ensuring that all individuals performing the renovation activities are either certified renovators or have been trained by a certified renovator.

With respect to assigning a certified renovator who is responsible for any OJT and regularly directing other workers, a firm acting as a general contractor my satisfy this requirement by hiring another certified firm that in turn assigns a certified renovator to the job. However, this does not discharge the general contractor's liability to ensure compliance with the RRP Rule.

See more at ZipWall

RRP and Lead —'It takes as little as a grain of salt to poison a kid' — Kansas City Star

From the Kansas City Star:

Eight-month-old Oskar Ryan-Garrard did not eat paint chips. He didn’t swallow or suck on lead-laden toys either. He simply moved about his early 1900s Westport home and like any baby put his fingers and feet in his mouth. Then an optional blood draw showed a dangerously high level of lead.

A risk assessor found lead-leaden dust on the windowsills of Oskar’s home and on the floor and porch where he plays. Oskar’s dad is a house painter, and lead was on his work clothes, too.

“It takes as little as a grain of salt to poison a kid,” said Shannon Steinbauer of the Kansas Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Prevention Program in Topeka.

And that grain of salt can find its way into any home: paint, residue from a parent’s occupation or hobby, everyday products.

See the whole story www.kansascity.com

Lead poisoning kills 400 children in Nigeria

KANO, Nigeria — Lead poisoning has killed more than 400 children under the age of five as a result of contamination from illegal gold extraction in northern Nigeria, an international aid agency said on Tuesday.

The children died over the last six months in several villages in Zamfara state, where lead-rich run-off from illegal gold mining has entered the soil and water supply, said Medecines Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders - MSF).

"Based on the record of fatalities from lead poisoning, more than 400 children have died in the last six months," said El-Shafii Muhammad Ahmad, MSF project director in Zamfara.

"But we in MSF believe the figure is much more than that," he told AFP by telephone.

Preliminary findings by UN experts on the contamination in Zamfara state, which were released on Tuesday, said that "growing amounts of children are dying from lead poisoning."

Elisabeth Byrs, a spokeswoman for the UN office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told AFP in Geneva that more than 3,000 children lived in seven affected villages in an area of high-intensity wildcat gold mining.

Byrs said many parents were afraid to come forward when their children fell ill, or mistook symptoms including convulsions with malaria.

Read the whole story www.google.com

Katrina and Haiti: The destruction was manmade, not natural

As we all know, 90 percent of the damage in New Orleans after Category 3 Hurricane Katrina missed the city was caused by a manmade failure of the national levee system.

So please, let stop using what is known as "Katrina shorthand." It was not a natural disaster. It was a manmade disaster, or in the words of John Goodman's character in the HBO series Treme: "A federal f----up of epic proportions."

The same can be said about Haiti, as explained in the video below from the TED conference. The destruction from the earthquake was an engineering disaster.

In both cases, unless we rebuild differently, we are setting ourselves up for the next disaster. In my case, I'm here in New Orleans as one of the most vocal proponents for proper window installation, proper restoration of old wood windows, effective water-resistive exterior cladding, and the right kind of insulation for this hot and humid climate.

Assuming the Army Corps of Engineers gets the levees right this time (as so many other advanced countries have managed to do), and the city never floods again, what a shame it would be if the rebuilt houses failed from mold, rot and pests.

With climate change, our world will see more and more disasters, natural or otherwise. As they happen (and obviously an earthquake is not caused by climate change), let's rebuild right so the affected houses will last decades if not centuries to come.

Rebuilding proficiency improves in New Orleans

Above: BIll Robinson leads a field training day for those involved in New Orleans rebuilding. 

As we move through the rebuilding efforts in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region, more resources are being made available to improve the process. 

These comes from many sources and one important resource is Global Green.

Using grant funds, the local Global Green office is providing training to local rebuilding groups to raise the bar for building efficient, durable and healthy homes.

Bill Robinson, through Train2ReBuild, delivered a one-day field exercise to point out real world examples of how the process can be improved.

The highlights were insulating gutted homes, air sealing, and material selection.

During the one-day outing the importance of preplanning and team building were emphasized.

Uptick in lead poisoning cases related to economy?

State health officials say an increase in childhood lead poisoning cases in Iowa could be tied to the economic downturn.

Kevin Officer, with the Iowa Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Lead Poisoning Prevention, says many people living in older homes are choosing to do their own repairs and they’re not always following lead-safe practices.

“Homeowners or landlords are doing scraping or sanding of the existing lead pain on the homes,” Officer said.

Removing lead-based paint can be dangerous if it’s not done correctly. “One of the primary things they can do when they’re removing the paint is keeping it moist or wet with a mister, basically a bottle mister to mist the area before scraping or painting it. That will keep the dust down and keep paint chips from getting all over the place,” Officer said.

See the whole story at www.radioiowa.com