Public Information Office
(603) 271-9391
August 17, 2012
Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health Services, Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program has received grant money from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide free lead safety training.
This training, which will be held throughout the State, is aimed at self-employed contractors, renovators, property managers, painters, plumbers, carpenters, and electricians who work on pre-1978 homes or child occupied facilities. This training will help contractors comply with EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule (40 CRF 745), which requires that any renovations conducted for compensation must be performed by Certified Firms using Certified Renovators.
The goal of the RRP Rule and the lead safety training is to have contractors trained on how to conduct renovation activities safely to reduce the risk of lead poisoning. Common renovation activities that disturb lead-based paint, such as sanding, cutting, and demolition, create hazardous lead dust and chips that are harmful to children and adults. In 2011, 93 children under 6 years old had elevated blood leads over 10 micrograms per deciliter. In New Hampshire, 535 children had blood lead levels between 5 and 9 micrograms per deciliter, which is the Center for Disease Control and Prevention new level of concern.
"In New Hampshire, one in every three children who have an elevated blood lead level was exposed due to renovation work," said Dr. José Montero, Director of the Division of Public Health Services. "Through this partnership with the EPA and the contractor training, New Hampshire homeowners will have a source for contractors who are trained in lead-safe work practices. This training brings us another step closer to eliminating lead poisoning."
Courses are being offered throughout New Hampshire. The following is a list of the class dates and locations. Classes are 8 am to 5 pm. Contractors need to only attend one of them:
Berlin, White Mountain Community College - August 30
Claremont, Home Depot – September 18
Manchester (Spanish), Lead-EDU – October 16
Lakes Region, The Taylor Home – October 23
Franklin, Franklin Regional Hospital – November 8
Rochester, Frisbie Memorial Hospital – December 7
Pre-registration is required. Please call Kate Kirkwood at 603-716-2901 or visit www.Lead-Edu.info.