What is the EPA's RRP Rule?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been working on the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule for quite a long time, and on April 22, 2010, it was put into place. The rule is aimed at reducing lead poisoning among children six years old and younger, the population with the highest risk of getting lead poisoning.

Lead poisoning
Mostly, lead poisoning happens by breathing lead dust and ingesting lead chips. Child lead poisoning can cause reduced IQ and attention span, impaired growth and learning, hearing loss, and a range of other health and behavioral effects. Sometimes, people with lead poisoning complain of headaches, stomachaches, irritability, fatigue, loss of appetite and joint and/or muscle pain. Oddly enough, the ancient Romans used cups made of lead because it sweetened their drinks … and look what happened to them.

Lead poisoning and renovation work
One way to create a lot of lead dust and chips is by disturbing leaded coatings like paint, stain, shellac or varnish through cutting, sawing and sanding. Lead coatings were found pretty much everywhere in the U.S. until 1978 when they were banned by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (lead, a bluish metallic element, made the coatings more durable).

Through steps outlined in the RRP rule, contractors can help minimize instances of lead poisoning. First, through distributing literature and posting job site signs, contractors inform building occupants how their work practices will reduce lead hazards. Then containment areas are established to control the spread of dust. Last, post-renovation cleaning is performed and the job site is verified to be free of lead dust. All of these steps should be documented and records kept for three years.