New EPA Lead Dust Standards are Great News for Residents of Puerto Rico

Earlier this summer the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new, tighter standards for lead in dust on floors and window sills to protect children from the harmful effects of lead exposure. The strengthened standards reduce the amount of lead in dust that is considered a hazard and that may warrant measures to reduce risks.
 
When announcing the tougher standards, the agency stated the following to explain the need for the tighter regulations: Lead-contaminated dust from chipped or peeling lead-based paint is one of the most common causes of elevated blood lead levels in children. Infants and children are especially vulnerable to lead paint exposure because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults do, and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. They can be exposed from multiple sources and may experience irreversible and life-long health effects. Lead dust can be generated when lead-based paint deteriorates or is disturbed.
 
The final rule, which is expected to go into effect later this year, lowers the dust-lead hazard standards from 40 µg/ft² and 250 µg/ft² to 10 µg/ft² and 100 µg/ft² on floors and window sills, respectively. 
 
“Lead hazard standards help property owners, management companies, lead paint professionals and government agencies identify lead dangers in residential paint, dust and soil,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “They apply in most pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities. In Puerto Rico, existing regulations also require that all buildings that are going to be demolished or renovated need to be inspected for lead-based paint (LBP). The Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board also demands that all materials with lead be managed as a special waste.”
 
In Puerto Rico and throughout the Caribbean, there are still many residential, institutional and commercial properties that have lead-based paints. In fact, if a property was built before 1978, there is an excellent chance it has LBP. To help identify lead hazards and exposure risks to protect people and keep companies and institutions in regulatory compliance, the lead experts at Zimmetry provide testing and consulting services throughout the region. Zimmetry has even sponsored an educational video about ways children can be protected from lead poisoning that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/LkEqFhNDS-U
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their lead, indoor air quality (IAQ), environmental and occupational testing and compliance consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
 

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Paul Cochrane

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