What is Lead & Why is it Harmful?

Lead is a soft, bluish-gray metal. It is an element that occurs naturally. It has a centuries-old history of many commercial and industrial uses. However, lead is poisonous to humans. There is no known need for lead in human nutrition – as there is with other minerals – and in fact even relatively small amounts of lead are toxic. In children, especially children under 6 years in age, lead in the body can interfere with physical and mental development. In some cases the damage is permanent.

How Did the Lead-Based Paint Program Start?

In 1992, Congress passed legislation to create a national Lead-Based Paint Program. At that time, the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found lead-based paint to be the number-one environmental hazard to children under the age of six.

The national Lead-Based Paint Program went into effect in 1998. Under this program, only certified lead-based paint abatement contractors can do lead-based paint abatement activities in residential dwellings and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 (lead was banned as an additive in house paint in 1978). Examples of lead-based paint activities are inspections for determining lead in paint, risk assessments to find lead-based paint hazards, and abatement, which is designed to permanently remove lead-based paint hazards.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was designated by Congress to administer the national Lead-Based Paint Program. The same law that created the Program also made it possible for states and Indian Tribes to apply to operate the program independently, with authorization from EPA. In 2003, the Washington State Legislature passed a law mandating the Department of Commerce to seek authorization from EPA and establish a lead-based paint program.

Washington’s Program

Carrying out its mandate from the Washington’s legislature, Commerce established a state lead-based paint program on June 10, 2004.

As of October 15, 2004, all contractors providing professional lead-based paint training or activities in Washington are now required to be certified by the Lead-Based Paint Program located within the Department of Commerce. Performing such activities without LBP certification from Commerce is a violation of Washington Administrative Code 365-230.

Washington’s program mirrors the national model, providing:

· Accreditation of trainers offering lead-based paint training courses

· Certification of lead-based paint professionals and firms

· Work practice standards for lead-based paint activities

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