What Few People Know About SERVPRO’s Certifications in Poughkeepsie

3/9/2020 (Permalink)

It's important to find a company that knows what they are doing when it comes to lead. Contact SERVPRO for certified technicians.

Why SERVPRO’s EPA Lead-Safe Trained Team Should Be by Your Side in Poughkeepsie

Homes, including apartments, townhouses, and condominiums, built before 1978 can expose you, your family, and anyone entering to the hazards of exposure to lead paint. A common ingredient in paints before the passage of legislation banning its use in the late 1970s, daily wear and tear, rehabbing, or repair of affected surfaces can create chips and dust easily inhaled or ingested by occupants. 

Disaster Restoration Efforts and Potential Lead Exposure

The efforts of restoration professionals after a water, fire, mold, or another disaster can unintentionally dislodge bits of lead-based paint. Particularly when building materials suffer from damage extreme enough to require tear-out and removal in Poughkeepsie, lead awareness by both property owners and restoration crews is vital. Protection for you and your loved ones is why hiring a firm such as ours that is EPA Lead-Safe Certified is mandatory.

Restoration Tasks that Disturb Lead Compounds 

When appropriately trained and certified managers and technicians devise and implement a restoration plan after water, fire, mold, and other losses, the agenda can include tasks likely to produce the lead dust dangerous to anyone coming in contact. Drilling holes, saw cutting, scraping, and sanding all can loosen the lead-based coating. The resulting particles are tiny, impossible to see with the naked eye. They drift on air currents, get pulled into HVAC systems, and settle on surfaces throughout all spaces in your premises. Proficiency in proactive management of this dust is why SERVPRO commits to EPA Lead-Safe certification.

Who Is Most Vulnerable to Lead Dust?

Children are most likely to be poisoned by lead dust, touching surfaces and objects, such as toys, sprinkled with it, and then putting contaminated fingers and items in their mouths. Ingestion of lead dust can lead to:

• Learning disabilities
• Behavior issues
• Diminished motor skills
• Lowered intelligence
• Hearing loss
• Brain damage
• Memory loss
• Headaches

Prevention of these severe and permanent problems is a primary reason why SERVPRO obtained EPA Lead-Safe certification.  

Lead Safe Work Practices

The EPA established a protocol to determine if lead is present --  the Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule. Restoration companies that disturb paint inside pre-1978-built homes, apartments, schools, and daycare facilities must follow this mandate. Compliance with this rule for the safety of occupants and technicians is why SERVPRO supervisors complete the EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program. Straightforward safeguards can prevent the spread of and contact with lead dust:

• Determine if the space under restoration contains lead, the inspection and testing completed by certified companies.
• Communicate with building owners if lead is found, reviewing and receiving customer sign-off on documents that explain the risks.
• Construct a work area containment system, sealing the HVAC system and employing negative pressure, HEPA filtered air scrubbers and personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers
• Remove, bag, and seal all lead-contaminated materials, vacuum with HEPA-filter-equipped units and wipe down surfaces top to bottom. 

Our commitment to transforming lead-dust contaminated spaces to clean and safe environments is why SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County pledges to maintain our EPA Lead-Safe certification for our customers. Call us at (845) 635-4550 for an in-depth consultation and assessment of your circumstances.

Click here for more information about Poughkeepsie.