We have just gotten a company kicked off a property for not adhering to the rules set out for this. With that said, let me tell you WHY I stuck my nose into it.
Lead poisoning in children is one of the scariest things you can experience as a parent (been there done that - moved out!)
The house that is catty-corner to us has been in terrible shape since we purchased our property. Recently it sold and renovations began. Since I am painfully familiar with the sound of a pressure washer, last Wednesday night, I heard one crank up at that house. Call me nosy, call me a responsible professional, call me whatever - what I was was PISSED. We have 2 Jose Jalapeno's on a stick, little "push me pull you" water squirter blasting lead chips all over the place. No PPE, no barrier on the ground - NO REGARD to the 2-year old child playing 20 ft from their wash area.
I, in perfect "crazy white woman" form begin yelling for them to stop. No english....yeay. Then, here comes their "boss". She and I have words (to my neighbor's amusement). I win, they shut down......until 5:30 the next afternoon------GRRRRRR.
Off I go again (mind you I AM taking photos like a maniac) - this time I inform the homeowner of the laws and rules he is breaking. He calls her over - I win - they stop again.
People doing this work with zero regard for what the later affects are should all be criminally charged
The certification course is not overly expensive nor is it more time consuming than one day.
Anyone washing these poisons onto and into the ground is irresponsible and uncaring. There is NO excuse for this type of negligence. For once, North Carolina was AHEAD of this national legislation and we have been educated on this issue for years prior to the new enforcement by the EPA. Will everyone get certified? No. Not everyone (including the paint company referred to by ScottWash) will perform work on buildings prior to 1978 - but for the companies that DO choose to go this route - there is bank to be made. This will separate you from the hacks in a huge way.......because in every neighborhood, there is a psycho mom like me watching.