If you or the Section 8 inspector find deteriorated paint surfaces, you may avoid stabilization, clearance, notice to occupants and ongoing maintenance by having a certified lead-based paint firm test all surfaces with non-intact paint. If paint testing indicates the absence of paint on a specific surface, paint stabilization is not required on that surface. What dangerous methods of paint removal are prohibited under the rule? Certain methods of removing paint are known to be dangerous and/or produce very high levels of lead dust, and are prohibited. They are: Open-flame burning or torching; Abrasive blasting without high efficient (“HEPA”) vacuum local exhaust; Machine sanding or grinding without HEPA vacuum local exhaust; Heat guns at temperatures above 750° F; Dry scraping (wet scraping should be done instead, except near electrical outlets, where use of water could result in electrocution hazards and except for very small areas of deteriorated paint, such as nail holes and hairline cracks); Paint stripping in a poorly ventilated space using a volatile stripper that is a hazardous substance (according to regulations of the Consumer Product Safety Commission or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration), such as methylene chloride. Is clearance required after all lead hazard control activities? Yes, except for small jobs which do not exceed the de minimis level established by HUD (see below for what constitutes a that is, a job for which safe work practices are not “small job”, required). How large does an area of deteriorated paint have to be before this rule requires action and what is the de minimis level? The rule requires that all deteriorated paint must be stabilized, except when the paint is found not to be lead-based paint or when the deterioration is limited to hairline cracks or small nicks, scratches or nail work is, occupant protection, holes. In addition, “safe practices” (that worksite preparation and specialized cleaning) must be used during stabilization only when the area of paint being disturbed exceeds the de minimis level, which is: 20 square feet on exterior surfaces; or 2 square feet in any one interior room or space; or 10% of the total surface area on an interior or exterior type of component with a small surface area (such as painted window sills, baseboards and trim) Page 2 of 4
If you or the Section 8 inspector find deteriorated paint surfaces, you may avoid stabilization, clearance, notice to occupants and ongoing maintenance by having a certified lead-based paint firm test all surfaces with non-intact paint. If paint testing indicates the absence of paint on a specific surface, paint stabilization is not required on that surface. What dangerous methods of paint removal are prohibited under the rule? Certain methods of removing paint are known to be dangerous and/or produce very high levels of lead dust, and are prohibited. They are: Open-flame burning or torching; Abrasive blasting without high efficient (“HEPA”) vacuum local exhaust; Machine sanding or grinding without HEPA vacuum local exhaust; Heat guns at temperatures above 750° F; Dry scraping (wet scraping should be done instead, except near electrical outlets, where use of water could result in electrocution hazards and except for very small areas of deteriorated paint, such as nail holes and hairline cracks); Paint stripping in a poorly ventilated space using a volatile stripper that is a hazardous substance (according to regulations of the Consumer Product Safety Commission or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration), such as methylene chloride. Is clearance required after all lead hazard control activities? Yes, except for small jobs which do not exceed the de minimis level established by HUD (see below for what constitutes a “small job”, that is, a job for which safe work practices are not required). How large does an area of deteriorated paint have to be before this rule requires action and what is the de minimis level? The rule requires that all deteriorated paint must be stabilized, except when the paint is found not to be lead-based paint or when the deterioration is limited to hairline cracks or small nicks, scratches or nail holes. In addition, “safe work practices” (that is, occupant protection, worksite preparation and specialized cleaning) must be used during stabilization only when the area of paint being disturbed exceeds the de minimis level, which is: 20 square feet on exterior surfaces; or 2 square feet in any one interior room or space; or 10% of the total surface area on an interior or exterior type of component with a small surface area (such as painted window sills, baseboards and trim) Page 2 of 4