Lead Prevention and Healthy Housing Newsletter

Transcription

1 Lead Prevention and Healthy Housing Newsletter Family and Consumer Sciences Volume 6 Number RECENT Lead Recalls: Tennesseans Ravaged by Spring Flooding Urged to Use Caution on Lead-Based Paint May 27, 2010: Basketball- Shaped Chair and Ottoman Sets by Colleen Karis Designs Recall # Moroccan Tea Glasses Recall # Questions? Comments? Assistance Needed? Please contact: Bonnie Hinds, MS Extension Assistant Environmental Health Programs 119 Morgan Hall Knoxville, TN bhinds@utk.edu Region 4 of the EPA issued a news release on May 26, 2010, warning middle and western Tennesseans to observe precautions when performing cleanup on homes affected by May s flood devastation: EPA urges pregnant women and children to keep away from work that could disturb lead-based paint and that those working on potential lead-based paint surfaces take precautions to prevent the spread of lead dust. Concern for cleanup also prompted the following: Because of the emergency nature of the flood work, EPA has issued guidance that the RRP rule emergency provisions will be in effect until June 30, Work covered until the RRP rule on flood damaged housing will not require advance notice or trained renovators to remove materials from homes. Volunteer workers, who do not receive compensation for work, are not required to be certified, but should educate themselves about work-safe practices, so as not to inadvertently cause hazards for themselves or family members. Region 4 of the EPA includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

2 Renovation, Repair, and Painting/RRP Rule: From Lead Paint Safety: A Field Guide for Painting, Home Maintenance, and Renovation Work: Probability of Lead-Based Paint in the Home Based on Construction Date: Before % probability Between 1940 and 1960: 70% probability Between 1960 and 1978: 20% probability Both contractors and individual consumers continue to experience confusion in interpreting the RRP Rule and its relevance to their projects. A few basic parameters of the rule: Those contractors performing work on child-occupied facilities built prior to 1978 must be trained/certified in RRP lead-safe work practices if their work disturbs: 6 square feet of interior paint 20 square feet of exterior paint 2 square feet of interior paint (in HUD properties) Those homeowners performing renovations on their own homes are not affected by the RRP Rule. In Tennessee, TDEC will be responsible for certifying/enforcing the RRP Rule once the paperwork and clearance has been accomplished. As of May 2010, the state of Tennessee was home to 2,700 RRP-certified renovators. Nationwide, the EPA has approved 247 training providers, more than half of whom are certified to provide training in multiple states. Full information on the RRP Rule is available at the EPA s website at The right-hand side of the page also features a link for Frequently Asked Questions.

3 Consumer Product Safety Commission s 2010 Pool Safety Campaign Drowning remains the second leading cause of injury-related death to children aged 14 and younger, with the largest number of drownings suffered by children under the age of five. Those under the age of one are most likely to drown in bathtubs, while children age one to four most often lose their lives in swimming pools. Furthermore, estimates by the American Academy of Pediatrics point out that for every fatal drowning, there are one to four near drownings, many of which leave the victims with permanent and debilitating injuries. Sea Shell by Amy Lowell Sea Shell, Sea Shell, Sing me a song, O Please! A song of ships, and sailor men, And parrots, and tropical trees, Of islands lost in the Spanish Main Which no man ever may find again, Of fishes and corals under the waves, And seahorses stabled in great green caves. Sea Shell, Sea Shell, Sing of the things you know so well. The Consumer Product Safety Commission, on May 24, 2010, launched a public education campaign to focus attention on water safety and to highlight the provisions of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Safety Act, enacted in 2007, to prevent drowning and injuries caused by entrapment in pool and spa drains. Observing a few simple tips can keep everyone safe in the pool: ALWAYS supervise children carefully at pools, spas, and other water venues. Install four-sided barriers around all pools. Avoid alcohol before or during any water activities. Maintain training in water rescue skills, first aid, and CPR. Keep rescue and first aid equipment, as well as a phone, poolside at all times. Seventeen Tennessee children drowned in 2006, nine of whom (53%) were aged four or younger. Source: Child Fatalities in Tennessee 2006 For further information, visit

4 Make plans NOW to attend training and learn about the house as a system. UT Extension, a certified trainer for the National Center for Healthy Housing, is again pleased to offer the two-day Essentials for Healthy Homes Practitioners Course Seven Principles of Healthy Housing: DRY. CLEAN. PEST FREE. VENTILATED. SAFE. CONTAMINANT FREE. MAINTAINED. in three locations across the state. This training is of enormous benefit to those who build, inspect, or sell homes, as well as to professionals in public health or environmental fields. Register now by ing or faxing the attached form, or use the online option at Registration fees include lunch and refreshment breaks both days. July Nashville: UT Central Region Office Marchant Drive September Jackson: UT Western Region Office Airways Boulevard October Knoxville: University of Tennessee For additional information, contact Bonnie Hinds at

5 For more information: Visit the National Center for Healthy Homes website at and click on Training Registration Form Presented by National Healthy Homes Training Center and Network and The University of Tennessee Extension Name Title Company/Organization Address City, State, Zip Phone Additional Phone Address Fax Meal Preference: Standard Vegetarian I am attending this course as (check all that apply): Environmental Health Professional Contractor/Builder Lead-Based Paint Professional Energy Auditor Weatherization Specialist Public Health Nurse Health and Housing Advocate Property Manager Pest Control Operator Other Home Inspector Extension Educator I will be attending: Nashville Jackson Knoxville Make check payable to: University of Tennessee Send to: 2621 Morgan Circle, 121 Morgan Hall, Knoxville, TN ATTN: Martha Keel Registration forms may be faxed to (865) (Checks will be accepted the day of training)