Basic Information
What is the RRP Rule?
The RRP Rule requires people and
companies who are paid to do work that
disturbs paint in homes built before
1978 to be certified by the EPA and to
take steps to keep children and families
safe from lead exposure during work.
Why is lead exposure
dangerous?
Even very small amounts of lead can
cause behavioral problems, lowered IQ,
ADHD, and other issues for children.
How do I know if my home has
lead paint?
Almost all homes
built before 1950
contain lead, and
most homes built
between 1950 and 1978 do too.
Use EPA-approved swabs to test
surfaces for lead, or hire a Licensed Lead
Inspector or Risk Assessor to inspect
your home for lead hazards. The list of
licensed individuals is available at:
www.health.state.mn.us/lead
What activities can create lead
dust or fumes?
Sanding or scraping paint, using heat
guns or power washers, replacing
painted windows or other components,
sanding wood floors, or any other
activity that disturbs a painted surface.
What You Should Know
• Most homes built before 1978 contain
at least some lead paint.
• Even small amounts of lead dust from
renovation can cause a child to become
lead poisoned.
• The best way to prevent lead exposure
from renovation is to hire an EPA
Certified Firm.
• If you do renovation work yourself,
use water when removing paint, contain
all dust while working, and clean up
thoroughly
• After doing any major renovation, your
children under the age of six should
receive a blood lead test if your house
was built before 1978.
Questions?
Minnesota Department of Health:
Phone: 651-201-4620
Email: [email protected]
Online: www.health.state.mn.us/lead
Environmental Protection Agency
National Lead Information Center:
Phone: 1-800-424-LEAD (5323)
April 2013
The Renovation,
Repair, and Painting
Rule (RRP)
For Homeowners
Hiring a Certified Firm
Do-It-Yourself Home
Renovation
You should hire a Certified Firm if:
1. Lay down plastic sheeting under the
area where you will be working.
• Your house was built before 1978.
AND
• You are paying someone to do work
that will disturb a painted or coated
surface inside or outside of your house.
To hire a Certified Firm:
Choose a company on the EPA’s list of
Certified Firms, available online at:
www.epa.gov/lead
2. When removing paint by hand
scraping or sanding, use a water spray
bottle to keep the area wet – this will
decrease the amount of dust created.
Don’t use power sanders or dry
scraping to remove paint.
3. Keep children and pets away from
work.
4. Wash dirty work clothes separately
from your family’s other laundry.
5. When the job is finished, clean up
the work area with plenty of water.
Blood Lead Testing
Children should receive a blood lead
test when they are one and two years
old if any of the following are true:
• The child lives within the city limits of
Minneapolis or St. Paul.
• The child receives services from
Minnesota Care, Medical Assistance,
or the Prepaid Medical Assistance
Program.
• The child has lived in or regularly
visited a home, childcare, or other
building built before 1950.
• The child has lived in or regularly
visited a building built before 1978
where recent major renovation has
taken place.
• Another child or adult in the family
has had an elevated blood lead level.
Talk to your doctor about
screening your child for lead.