Glossary · Health & indoor air
Lead paint
Also called: lead-based paint · lead-safe · lead-safe work practices · RRP rule
Paint containing lead, common in older homes; sanding, scraping or removing it creates toxic dust that's especially harmful to young children.
What it means
In the US, the key date is 1978: homes built before then may contain lead-based paint. Intact paint out of children's reach is often safer left alone; work that disturbs it, including window replacement, needs lead-safe methods.
Why it matters in an audit
Window and door replacement and other energy upgrades can disturb old paint, so contractors need to plan for it.
Typical numbers
Reference values with their sources. Your auditor’s report gives the figure for your own house.
| What | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| US EPA RRP rule | Covers homes built before 1978; minor work disturbing 6 ft² or less per room inside or 20 ft² or less outside is exempt; window replacement is always covered | epa.gov ↗ |
In the United States
Contractors paid to disturb paint in pre-1978 homes must be certified under EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program and follow its work practices, except for small jobs under the size limits.