Lead
Lead Abatement
AbateX Environmental Services uses state-of-the-art equipment, and highly trained and certified workers to protect you and provide a healthy environment from the hazards of this dangerous material. Through our expertise and experience we can help you meet your health, safety and legal requirements.
Federal standards define lead-based paint as:
• Any paint or surface coatings that contain lead equal to or in excess of 1.0 milligram per square centimeter or more than 0.5 percent by weight.
Some states and localities regulate paint with lower concentrations of lead. It is the primary source of lead-contaminated dust in housing.
Why was lead used in paint?
• Lead was added for color and durability. Lead-based paint was banned in 1978.
For more information visit:
http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/rrp_8hr_studentmanual_feb09.pdfVery hazardous to children
• Damages the brain and central nervous system; can cause decreased intelligence, reading and learning difficulties, behavioral problems, and hyperactivity.
• Damage can be irreversible, affecting children throughout their lives.
Hazardous to pregnant women.
• Damage to the fetus.
Also hazardous to workers and other adults
• High blood pressure.
• Loss of sex drive and/or capability.
• Physical fatigue.
Lead exposure causes permanent damage
Renovation activities that disturb lead-based paint create dust and debris. Debris becomes dust. Lead contaminated dust is poisonous. Very small amounts of lead-contaminated dust can poison children and adults. Children swallow dust during ordinary play activities. Adults swallow or breathe dust during work activities. Workers can bring lead-contaminated dust home and poison their families.
A Little Dust Goes a Long Way
• You can’t see it
• It’s hard to sweep up
• And, it travels
Are you renovating, repairing or painting a home, child care facility or school built before 1978?
Beginning April 22, 2010, federal law requires that contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb more than six square feet of paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and trained to follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.
• Protect your family and make sure you only hire a contractor who is in a Lead-Safe Certified Firm. Find a Lead-Safe Certified Firm near you.
• Read about EPA's requirements for renovation, repair and painting.
• Read EPA's pamphlet on renovation, repair and painting:
• Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools (PDF) (11 pp, 1.1MB)
