Tierra Consulting Group - Timely and Cost-effective Solutions for Today and Tomorrow

Tierra Consulting Group, Inc.

Lead-based Paint Inspection, Risk Assessment,
& Abatement Management

New Law on Lead Could Hit Home Projects Hard, Written by Diane C. Lade published in The Sun Sentinel May 8, 2010

A new law, designed to protect young children from toxic lead, will affect hundreds of thousands of renovation projects in Florida, experts say.

The Renovation, Repair, and Painting rule, which went into effect on April 22, applies to almost all housing constructed before 1978 and to buildings where young children are likely to be present, such as daycare centers and preschools.

About half of the 2.4 million homes in Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties were built before 1978, when lead was a common component of house paint.

Robert Anderson, lead Poisoning Prevention Coordinator for the Palm Beach County Health Department, said that while parents have been frenzied over lead found in toys, many are unaware that the most common way youngsters get lead poisoning is through household paint and lead-contaminated dust. Hundreds of children under age 6, the most at-risk group, test positive for high lead levels in Florida, with 274 new cases recorded statewide in 2008. "Anyone living in a home built prior to 1978 should be worried," Anderson said.

But while the EPA will work with construction firms attempting to comply, the agency has said it will go after those ducking the law, with fines of $37,500 per violation.

The complete article can be viewed at: sun-sentinel.com

About Lead Detection and Disposal
Lead is a known carcinogen linked to severe health risks for children. Painted surfaces of older homes and structures may contain lead and are therefore classified as a potential risk.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires individuals conducting lead-based paint detection activities (abatement, inspection, and risk assessment) in target housing and child-occupied facilities to be trained and certified. The trainers are accredited to ensure quality, and certified individuals must follow specific work practices ensuring that lead hazards are addressed. TCGI is an EPA licensed lead-based paint consulting firm with EPA licensed lead-based paint inspectors and risk assessors.

The TCGI staff has inspected thousands of HUD-regulated homes and facilities with over a decade of experience in lead-based paint consulting services including testing, risk assessment and abatement monitoring and management. TCGI owns and utilizes x-ray fluorescence detectors for on-site analysis of lead-based paint (NITON XL). The NITON XL is considered one of the most accurate instruments on the market. TCGI also utilizes AIHA-accredited lead laboratories for all off-site analysis and clearance testing.

If an existing structure on a property is to be renovated or demolished for a new project or if a multi-unit property is being purchased, TCGI is certified to perform the necessary lead-based paint inspection surveys. Determination of lead content is an important consideration when developing project cost estimates associated with demolition, renovation, and debris disposal. TCGI is focused on providing the most cost-effective environmental solutions for the management of client's lead risk.

About Lead Risks and Exposure
Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around homes. Lead may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral and learning disabilities, to seizures and deaths. Children 6 years old and under and pregnant women are most at risk. The developing fetus can be adversely affected by lead exposure to the mother. Young children are affected since their bodies and organs have not fully developed. Lead is a neurotoxin affecting every organ system in the body.

For more information on TCGI's lead-based paint consulting services, please call today toll free at 877-941-9837 for a free consultation to evaluate your environmental needs.



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