Thursday 18 December 2014

Laws Regarding The Use Of Pre-1978 Lead Paint

By Claudine Hodges


Lead paint has been one of the main types of paints that was used in order to coat houses, buildings, or even roads. However, it was found out that paints containing this substance were actually quite harmful if used in high volumes which is why the use of this type of substance was limited by the law. To know about the use of pre-1978 lead paint, here are some of the rules regarding usage.

Now before going to the laws, it is very important to first understand why this kind of coloring is being used by most manufacturers. First of all, this type of substance is very durable and it can still stay fresh even though it was hit by a lot of substances. Companies would often use these types of paints because they do not need to repaint often.

Of course its fast drying quality would definitely appeal to a lot of people especially commercial offices as they would want to use the building as soon as they can. It is actually for this reason that most painters would use this type of coating because it saves them a lot of time and effort. It is these two qualities that would actually give lead coating an edge.

Of course through the years, this kind of pigment was not used that much anymore because of some alleged health hazards. It was discovered that lead actually posed a lot of hazards if it was inhaled or ingested by children who live in a house that is painted by this kind of coating. The United States of America decided to pass a law on limited usage during the year 1978.

One of the laws regarding houses that had existed before the law was passed would be that they would have to be inspected for the presence of lead. Firstly, the EPA or Environmental Protection Agency would be sending over a trained inspector to see how much lead the paint in the building contains. From there, they building or house will be given a certification if everything goes well.

Now according to the law, this kind of coating can actually still be used, but not in high volumes. The law just stated that if the coating had over 0.06 percent of the substance inside, then it was not safe for usage. So this kind of coating was not actually banned but it was more of regulated and limited so that it can be safe.

Also along with this law, there also has been a law that was made for those who are selling houses that existed before or during the year 1978. The law states that if they would want to sell this kind of building or house, they would have to disclose to the potential tenants that the paint used in the building does have some traces of lead in it. As long as the potential tenant already knows, it will be up to the tenant as to whether he would want to test it or not.

These laws have to be observed by everyone who would want to own a house or a building. In San Diego, CA, there are actually a lot of houses and buildings that have existed before the year 1978. It is for this reason that these laws are strictly implemented in this state.




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