[MassHistPres] Deleading

[Aaron Marcavitch]

Having gone through the de-leading process for eight of our units - including one historic one - I can tell you that there are lots of options.

First - the best source of information is the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program run by the State.  This program will give you all of the information you need.  Their website on the Mass.gov site has lots of good links.

Second - please, please, get things tested.  The tests aren't terribly expensive and it will give you a wealth of knowledge.

Third - if its not mouthable (i.e. flat walls with no cracking or flaking) then it should be safe (according to the state laws).  

Fourth - striping and repainting the historic windows may be safer in the long run.  The test will tell you how many windows have lead; if its on the outside or inside; if its in the "impact areas"; etc.  Then you can make decisions about how to proceed.

The lead safety issues are a very real situation - but the state has already thought about how to mitigate it within historic buildings without destrying historic fabric.  

If you need any advice, let me know.  It was an interesting process.

Aaron
Housing Nantucket
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http://www.marcavitch.com