Lead Dust During Construction and Demolition
Photo taken in Portland Oregon after the lead-based painted siding was removed from this house prior to demolition.
Renovations
Federal law requires contractors, property managers, and others who are being paid to take precautions when disturbing lead-based painted surfaces. The rule, EPA’s 2008 Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program Rule (RRP) applies to homes, apartments, child care facilities, schools and other child-occupied buildings built before 1978.
For residents doing their own alterations, refer to EPA’s brochure for residents to protect your family from lead. You can dispose of lead-based paint and paint chips at local Hazardous Waste Disposal Locations.
Demolitions
Water must be sprayed during demolitions to help control windblown fine materials such as soil, concrete dust and paint chips. For more information on what is required, please see Dust Control and Water Usage.
Full building demolition could trigger lead dust control measures when the Green Building Standard applies or when using Priority Green Expedited. When removing a building built before 1978, the best practice is to remove lead-based painted material from the exterior of the building prior to mechanical demolition. Other options to mitigate lead dust, such as deconstruction or avoiding demolition of the existing structure may be utilized. For more information on what is required, please see Director’s Rule 4-2021 and SDCI Green Building.
For more information on lead safety
- EPA’s Lead Safety Documents and Outreach Materials
- Washington State’s Department of Commerce Lead-Based Paint in Washington State Homes
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes