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In Compliance with EPA’s New Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule.

When considering a home renovation, from painting interior walls to a total structural makeover, consumers now  need  more than a design and budget  plan. They need to know the law.  On April 22, 2010, the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule becomes fully effective and enforceable with fines for violating the rule starting at $32,500

Ralph Rossi, President of Pratt & D’Angelo, is prepared. Rossi, an EPA “Certified Renovator,” has completed the required EPA Certified Renovator training courses in compliance with the new Federal requirements. Through various resources, including Pratt & D’Angelo’s website, direct mail and other avenues, Rossi’s company is working diligently to alert and inform their clients and the general public about the importance of lead-safe work practices during painting, decorating, remodeling, renovation and maintenance projects in pre-1978 housing. Consumers are invited to log onto Pratt & D’Angelo’s Website: www.prattdangelo.com/

Rossi is a dedicated advocate for environmental safety issues in the renovation industry. Proactive as an Environmental Engineer, Rossi earned a Masters Degree in Engineering from Cornell University and created, developed and taught Environmental Site Assessment courses at New York University’s (NYU’) Real Estate Institute.  “As a company, we have always approached our work with an eye toward protecting our customers’ properties and families.  To that end, we invested heavily in specialized equipment like HEPA vacuums and air filtration units that contain and remove lead dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air during our renovation.  I’m glad to see EPA mandating all contractors follow safe and common sense work practices when dealing with pre-1978 housing.” states Rossi.

Everyone can be affected by the hazards of lead-based paint. However, children under the age of six (6) have a significantly higher risk. On April 22, 2010, the US Environment Protection Agency’s (EPA) new Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule becomes fully effective and enforceable. This new Federal regulation is intended to protect children and adults during renovation, repair and painting projects in pre-1978 housing and in pre-1978 child-occupied facilities, such as daycare centers, where existing lead-based paint will be disturbed by the work. 

According to James Gulliford, the EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, “Childhood lead poisoning is a preventable disease. EPA’s new rule requires contractors and maintenance workers who renovate and repair older housing, child care facilities and schools to follow common sense lead-safe work practices so that children are not exposed to hazardous lead dust. By requiring renovators to be certified, we’re also helping consumers identify contractors who are trained in lead-safe work practices. Our goal is to eliminate childhood lead poisoning as a major health concern by the year 2010.“

Children exposed to lead at an early age are likely to suffer from a variety of permanent conditions, including brain, liver and kidney damage; slowed development; learning disabilities; behavior problems; lowered intellect; hearing loss; and restlessness. (http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/chancefactsheet.pdf)

Consumers need to know if renovation, repair or painting work in their home or apartment will trigger the requirements in the EPA Rule. EPA’s website is the best source of information for consumers regarding the new Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule requirements. Visit www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm to get complete details about the regulation and valuable resources, including several PDF pamphlets on lead, lead-based paint, lead poisoning and steps to perform renovations in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities.

Consumers also need to know how find a qualified professional for these services. Painting and decorating contractors who perform work in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities will need to apply to EPA to become “Certified Renovation Firms.” Additionally, contractors and their workers will need to take training from EPA-accredited training providers to become “Certified Renovators.”  

Contact Pratt & D’Angelo to learn more about their EPA Certified painting and renovation services.

Pratt & D’Angelo Painting is a residential & commercial full service painting and staining contractor located in Westchester County, New York. Pratt & D’Angelo is a member of the Painting & Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA). Ralph E. Rossi, President & owner of Pratt & D’Angelo Painting is a local leader in the painting & wallpaper industry and has served as past president and secretary/treasurer of the Westchester Chapter PDCA. Pratt & D’Angelo is highly regarded by the prevalent paint manufacturers and has strong working relationships with Benjamin Moore Paints, Sherwin Williams Paints, and Cabot Stains, and others.

Our offices are conveniently located to serve the following areas: Westchester County, New York City, Nassau County, Lower Fairfield County, including Greenwich, Cos Cob, Old Greenwich, and Stamford. We offer free estimates, and all of our work is guaranteed. Our company is proud to produce a high quality job, on budget, on time and with the best customer service.