Do you remodel or renovate homes built before 1978?

On April 22, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead RRP (40 CFR, Part 745, Subpart E) went into effect. The new rule requires contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 to be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Among these required work practices are the use of a HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner, to minimize dust and thoroughly clean the work area.
According to the rule:
• Walls must be cleaned starting at the ceiling and working down to the floor by either vacuuming with a HEPA vacuum or wiping with a damp cloth.
• Remaining surfaces are to be cleaned by thoroughly vacuuming all remaining surfaces and objects in the work area, including furniture and fixtures, with a HEPA vacuum. The HEPA vacuum must be equipped with a beater bar when vacuuming carpets and rugs.
• The use of machines that remove lead-based paint through high speed operation such as sanding, grinding, power planing, needle gun, abrasive blasting, or sandblasting, is prohibited unless such machines are used with HEPA exhaust control. So, what does the EPA mean by a HEPA vacuum cleaner? In 40 CFR 745.83, the EPA states:
“HEPA vacuum means a vacuum cleaner which has been designed with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter as the last filtration stage. A HEPA filter is a filter that is capable of capturing particles of 0.3 microns with 99.97% efficiency. The vacuum cleaner must be designed so that all the air drawn into the machine is expelled through the HEPA filter with none of the air leaking past it.”
Nilfisk HEPA vacuum cleaners exceed the EPA’s definition of a HEPA vacuum and are equipped to safely collect hazardous lead dust generated during renovations.
• Equipped with multi-stage filtration, including a tested and certified HEPA filter, Nilfisk HEPA vacuums safely capture 99.97% of debris, down to and including 0.3 microns.
• Nilfisk HEPA vacuums for lead abatement can be equipped with optional turbo and/or power nozzles. These are floor tools equipped with a carpet beater bar to dislodge heavy
lead particulate that may be embedded in the carpet. For more information on these nozzle options, please see our FAQs below.
• Nilfisk HEPA vacuums can be used in conjunction with vacuum-assisted power tools to collect hazardous lead debris at the source.
Note: The EPA does NOT recommend or certify any manufacturers’ vacuums.