Key takeaways
- The rule applies to pre-1978 homes and child-occupied facilities.
- Contractors must be certified and follow lead-safe practices.
- Ask for the certification before signing a contract.
- Asbestos is a separate check — test suspect materials too.
What the rule covers
The rule applies to paid renovation, repair and painting work that disturbs painted surfaces in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities. Small jobs may fall under minor-repair exceptions, but window replacement and demolition generally do not.
What lead-safe work looks like
A certified contractor will usually:
- Seal off the work area with plastic sheeting
- Avoid open-flame burning and high-speed sanding without dust controls
- Use wet methods to keep dust down
- Clean with HEPA vacuums and wet wiping
- Give you the EPA Renovate Right pamphlet before work starts
Before work starts
Three things to confirm.
- 11
Certified
EPA RRP firm
- 22
Contained
Plastic and dust control
- 33
Asbestos checked
Lab test of materials
Questions to ask your contractor
Ask whether the firm is EPA-certified, who the certified renovator on site will be, how dust will be contained, and how the area will be cleaned and checked afterward.
Then ask whether the materials being removed have been tested for asbestos. Lead and asbestos rules are separate, and one does not cover the other. American Heritage Environmental only tests for asbestos. We do not test for mold or lead, and we never sell or perform removal of any kind.