Think lead paint doesn’t affect your business? Think again.

A new rule by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates

that all renovation and repair contractors working in pre-1978 homes,

schools, and day care centers who disrupt more than six square feet of

lead paint are required to become EPA Certified in lead-safe work

practices. Contractors are required to take a one-day training course

and firms must send a short application to the the EPA. If not, they

could face tens of thousands of dollars in fines in the future.

New research shows that contractors like plumbers, electricians,

painters and window replacement experts can inadvertently expose

children to harmful levels of lead from invisible dust disturbed during

jobs they perform every day.

Firms must register with EPA and pay a fee. Individuals must take a

one-day training course from an EPA-accredited training provider to

become a certified renovator. EPA certification is good for five years.

Mindful of the small added costs that may result from complying with

this important rule, the EPA is launching a consumer campaign

designed to raise awareness of the dangers of lead paint poisoning,

and encourage consumers to choose only contractors who are Lead-

Safe Certified.