IMPORTANT LEAD & ASBESTOS INFO
Before you start a renovation or restoration:
LEAD BASED PAINT:
If your home or building was built before 1985 there may be lead-based paint on the inside and out. That could pose a serious risk of lead poisoning, especially if you’re pregnant or have small children.
As long as lead paint is in good condition, and the surface hasn't been broken, the paint doesn't pose a serious health threat. The problem comes when the lead paint starts deteriorating, when lead dust and flakes of lead paint begin accumulating on surfaces such as window sills, counter tops, and floors, as well as on children's toys, clothes, and bedding. It can also contaminate soil around the house. Small children, who have a tendency to put their hands and other objects in their mouth, are at an increased risk of accumulating harmful amounts of lead in their bodies. Workers are also at risk when lead dust collects on clothing, spread beyond the worksite and makes it into their homes as well.
If you hire someone to paint your home or building they need to be a lead certified firm.
ASBESTOS IN DRYWALL & JOINT COMPOUND:
If your home or building was built before 1985 there may be asbestos in the joint compound and drywall used for finishing & repair. That could pose a serious health risk to anyone who is preforming repairs, sanding, doing demolition, replacement and occupying the home or building.
Anytime drywall repairs are preformed without the proper methods of containment in occupied homes or building's chunks, flakes and dust get airborne. They begin accumulating on surfaces such as window sills, counter tops, and floors, as well as on children's toys, clothes, and bedding. It can also contaminate soil around the house while removing and disposing of old drywall pieces. Small children, who have a tendency to put their hands and other objects in their mouth, are at an increased risk of breathing and ingesting asbestos dust and pieces.
This also applies to vacant homes and building's under renovation, remodels and repairs. Dust and small pieces of drywall can contaminate the clothing of workers, their homes, contaminate soil and dust can travel to neighbors.
If you hire anyone to do repairs on your interior drywall in your home or building they need to be an asbestos certified firm