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North Carolina is third US state to administer Lead Renovation Repair and Painting (RRP) program

admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:39:29 +0000

North Carolina is the third state in the US to administer and enforce a Lead Renovation Repair and Painting (RRP) program. See EPA RRP and North Carolina Lead program for additional information.

From EPA.gov

The RRP program mandates that contractors working in homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 be trained and certified in lead-safe work practices by the state of North Carolina. Similar EPA requirements will be in place nationwide by April 2010, but the North Carolina program will operate in lieu of EPA’s program in that state, allowing for greater local oversight. EPA’s authorization of North Carolina’s program is based on the application letter from North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue and a certification from the Chief Deputy Attorney General, Grayson G. Kelley, that the North Carolina program is at least as protective as the EPA RRP program and provides adequate enforcement.

Update on Chinese Drywall — US Made Drywall also suspect

admin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:32:05 +0000

Researchers at the University of Florida tested both Chinese-made and US-made drywall and found most were emitting some level of sulfur gas. It is this gas being emitted from drywall in newer homes that has caused corrosion with copper wiring, copper piping and has made many individuals sick and their homes inhabitable.

See more at CBS

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Problem Chinese Drywall update

admin — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:08:14 +0000

Here is a recent article covering problem Chinese Drywall that talks about developing protocols and standards to help contractors with remediating problems homes. See http://www.usbcinc.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Building-Trend-Magazine-Article1.pdf

Drywall Made In China Causing Problems

admin — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:46:35 +0000

This sad story is getting sadder. More people are discovering their homes were built with Chinese-made drywall and the problems that ensue. No one has quite fully explained the problem…however, the problem seems to be a ‘sulphur’ like substance that is emitted from the drywall is causing corrosion on copper components (hvac, plumbing, electrical wiring etc.) and those living in these houses are suffering ill-health. Read more at CNN.

Was Your Home Built Prior to 1978?

admin — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:54:33 +0000

If your home was built prior to 1978, there is a good chance it contains some lead paint. Before you have any work that may disturb painted surfaces, your contractor is now required to provide you with this pamphlet available online at www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovaterightbrochure.pdf

If you are doing any work yourself as a do it yourself project, there is some good information on lead paint hazards at www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm

Other details from the Environment Protection Agency:
Federal law requires that individuals receive certain information before renovating six square feet or more of painted surfaces in a room for interior projects or more than twenty square feet of painted surfaces for exterior projects in housing, child care facilities and schools built before 1978.
-Homeowners and tenants: renovators must give you this pamphlet
before starting work.
-Child care facilities, including preschools and kindergarten classrooms,
and the families of children under the age of six that attend those facilities: renovators must provide a copy of this pamphlet to child-care facilities and general renovation information to families whose children attend those facilities.

Also, beginning April 2010, federal law will require contractors that disturb
lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities and schools, built before 1978
to be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Therefore beginning in April 2010, ask to see your contractor’s certification.

For more tips, please visit www.HouseFixer.Info