Prior to April 22nd, your biggest decision when house painting was which colors.  As if it weren’t difficult enough for contractors and house painters to earn a living, the EPA has announced:

As of April 22, renovations which disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 residential dwellings and child-occupied facilities (such as day care centers, schools, etc.)  must comply with the Lead-Based Paint Renovation Rule of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).  Renovation work is defined as a modification of an existing structure which disturbs (such as sanding) a painted surface.  

Anyone receiving compensation for renovating, repairing and/or painting work which disturbs painted surfaces is subject to the new Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP).   Under this  rule, renovators must be trained and certified  to prevent lead contamination.    Renovators must also deliver EPA's lead renovation pamphlet to the occupant(s).  

The rule applies to handymen, contractors,  residential landlords, property managers, interior decorators and anyone else paid to perform renovations or to direct workers to perform renovations.  Excluded are minor repair and maintenance activities that disrupt no more than 6 square feet of interior painted surface or no more than 20 square feet of exterior painted surface.
 
Thank goodness, the rule does not apply to homeowners renovating their own primary residence.