Lead paint in pre-1978 homes: when cutting or drilling for an appliance job falls under EPA's RRP rule
EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule applies to anyone paid to do work that disturbs painted surfaces in housing or child-occupied facilities built before 1978. The firm must be EPA (or state) certified, a certified renovator must direct the work, the occupants get the Renovate Right pamphlet before work starts, and lead-safe practices are used. Small jobs are exempt only below about 6 square feet of painted surface per room inside or 20 square feet outside, and window replacement is always covered. Most appliance swaps disturb no paint at all; vent and duct work often does.
Before you start
- Do not dry-sand, power-plane or burn painted surfaces in a pre-1978 home
- Children and pregnant occupants are most at risk from lead dust; keep them out of the work area
- Some states run their own RRP programs and add requirements
Diagnostic steps
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