LEAD PAINT:

Fact Sheet:

Employing Cleaning and Repair Methods to Prepare for a Dust Wipe Test on Rental Properties

It is a well-known fact that using simple cleaning practices and proper maintenance can minimize lead hazards in the home. Lead-based paint maintained in good condition usually is not harmful to the residents. On the other hand, lead based paint that falls into disrepair can cause harmful lead dust which settles on surfaces and is ingested or breathed in by people living in or visiting the home. After performing a visual inspection of paint conditions and repairing any areas in need, it is very important to clean up afterwards, and on a regular basis, to ensure that no lead hazards have been left behind. There are several elements to prepare for a compliance dust wipe test:

• Do a visual inspection of the property. Maryland regulations state that dust wipe samples must not be taken in housing with ANY chipping, peeling, flaking or otherwise degraded paint surfaces, inside AND outside. The first portion of your inspection will be a visual inspection of all painted surfaces. If degraded paint surfaces are present, the inspection cannot be completed until all repairs have been made and all paint is in good condition.
• Don't forget the window wells! This seems to be the most commonly overlooked problem. Window wells must be smooth and cleanable, just like any other surface in the property. If the surface is chipped and flaking, it is not considered to be smooth and cleanable. You must repair and repaint if this condition exists. Be sure not to plug the weep holes. These holes (at the base of the storm window) are there to let water out of the window well and prevent paint degradation and rot. Otherwise, moisture will sit in the wells, rot the underlying surface and cause peeling paint.
• Be sure to clean up properly after performing repairs or maintenance on the property, and between tenants. All horizontal surfaces should be wiped or mopped with a solution of water and a good all-purpose cleaner, a high phosphate cleaner such as TSP, or a cleaner specially for cleaning up lead dust. This includes window sills, floors, counter tops, window wells and any other surfaces that dust may settle on. Be sure to wipe down windowsills, window wells and hard flooring and rinse thoroughly. Dust wipe samples will be taken in each room, from floors, windowsills and/or window wells. Hallways are considered rooms, as are basements and utility areas.
• Be sure to rinse your mop or cloth frequently in clean water while cleaning. Do not rinse in your cleaning solution. This will only cause your cloth or mop to become contaminated and ineffective. Disposable cloths can be used, also to minimize the spread of lead dust.
• Carpeted areas should be professionally steam-cleaned. This may not remove ALL lead dust, but will minimize it greatly.
• Most regular household vacuums will not remove lead dust because it is so small. Many times, household vacuums simply spread lead dust around the home in the exhaust and right through the bag. Be sure to use a HEPA vacuum, or one which removes particles as small as 3 microns.

Using proper cleaning and repair methods will help you to minimize lead dust hazards in the home and help you to comply with MD's Lead Hazard Reduction Standard for Rental Housing.

This information has been provided to you courtesy of: