Lead abatement

Lead abatement goes further than cleaning or repainting. Federal rules define it as measures designed to permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards. That can include removing paint and dust, permanently enclosing or encapsulating lead paint, replacing painted parts, and treating soil.

Missouri DHSS describes its licensing program as dedicated to preventing lead poisoning by ensuring that lead abatement is done by qualified professionals. Its stated mission is to prevent lead poisoning from improper lead abatement activities.

For an owner, that means you should ask for the license before you sign. Ask who the licensed supervisor is and how notice to the state will be filed.

Abatement differs from the work covered by the RRP rule. RRP governs lead-safe practices during renovation. Abatement aims at lasting hazard control. Both start with knowing where the lead is, so a test by XRF often comes first. See lead-based paint for the background.