Page 2 / February 2003 Owners Update

Question of the Month - Can You Review the Lead-Based Paint Rule?

The lead paint rule became effective in 2002. Not all units are applicable to the rule.

Applicable units are:

those built before 1978
AND family make-up of child under 6 or a pregnant mother.

What is inspection procedure?
The TMHA inspector will visually inspect interior and exterior paint and trim. Inspector looking for deteriorated paint surfaces AND signs of paint chips/ dust on floor/ground. IF THIS INSPECTION PASSES, NO FURTHER ACTION IS NEEDED.

Paint fails? What then? Units must be cleared by an Ohio certified inspector. TMHA contracts with Farsight Management to do clearances. What is the clearance? First the owner is given time to stabilize the deteriorated paint. Usually 30 days (extension to repair can be given, OWNER MUST REQUEST), or until the spring if exterior paint is failed during the winter (Paint Waiver). After paint is stabilized,

Farsight will complete clearance which consists of:

(ON INTERIOR)
- a) visual inspection looking for paint chips & paint not fixed,
- b) dust wipe samples of windows and floors. Samples are sent to a lab and tested for high levels of lead dust. HINT: Thorough cleaning is needed to remove lead dust. See below for use of TMHA's HEPA vac.
(ON EXTERIOR) visual inspection only. HINT: exterior clearances often fail because clean-up of scraped chips was not done. If chips cannot be removed, cover with mulch.

Unit passes clearance. (Yippee!)

Unit does not pass clearance. Unit is re-cleaned, paint not stabilized is repaired, chips removed or covered. Unit has another clearance test. Clearance tests continue until unit passes. TMHA CAN COVER THE COST OF THE 1ST CLEARANCE TEST ONLY.

What happens to HAP Payments during clearance? The rule requires the housing authority to ABATE (not pay) HAP beginning the month after the TMHA repair date (or approved extension date).

HEPA VACUUM
Repairing painted surfaces can create dust. A regular vacuum will not adequately clean this dust, and may have the effect of spreading it. A HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuum is needed. TMHA has a Euroclean HEPA vac. provided by the Ohio Dept. of Health to help owners clean units. There is no charge to borrow the vacuum Call to schedule. ODH requires that all users watch an 8-minute video on the vacuum use and cleaning.