www.charlesjeromeware.com " Here to make a Difference."
Charles Jerome Ware, LLC, is a premier, Maryland-based and nationally-resspected, landlord lead (Pb) paint poisoning defense law firm. For an initial courtesy consultation, contact the firm at (410) 720-6129. We can help you.
Some home renovation tips for Baltimore, Maryland residential housing landlords with units built before 1978 :
(1) Lead poisoning (Plumbism) is a public health problem in Baltimore and elsewhere in Maryland in residential units (houses and apartments) built prior to 1978.
(2) Homes built before 1978 in Baltimore may contain lead-based paint.
(3) Homes built prior to 1950 in Baltimore likely contain lead-based paint.
(4) Even though lead (Pb) does not dissolve in water or biodegrade, dissipate, decay or burn --- dry scraping, dry sanding and/or burning lead (Pb) paint may release harmful lead dust into the air.
(5) An appreciable amount of lead dust that is ingested or inhaled by young children ( ages 0 to 6 years) and pregnant women can cause serious health problems --- including behavior and learning disabilities, brain damage, and even death.
(6) Lead poisoning ( Plumbism) is a major preventable environmental health hazard affecting children in Baltimore.
(7) An estimated 10 million metric tons or more of lead residue is in the earth's environment. The majority of it is "legacy" lead (Pb) generated in the environment over thousands of years.
[ Caveat: This stuff does not just go away. It lingers and stays.]
(8) Landlords should hire "professionals" for all lead abatement projects. Under Maryland law, anyone who acts as a supervisor or contractor for the purpose of abating lead (Pb) paint shall be accredited by the Maryland Department of the Environment ( MDE). Workers who perform purposeful lead abatement shall be trained by a training provider approved by MDE.
(9) " Lead paint abatement" work includes any activity that eliminates or reduces lead (Pb) paint hazards, including paint removal, replacement of components, encapsulation, or repainting. Examples of people who provide lead paint services include inspectors, trainers, workers, and supervisors.
(10) Anyone, or any business, that serves as a lead paint contractor, supervisor, inspector, risk assessor, or training provider must be accredited by the State of Maryland. A "certified" individual must must pass an examination and provide proof of relevant experience. Apllications and fees for accreditation are submitted to the MDE Lead Accreditation and Oversight Division.
(11) Anyone who engages in a lead paint abatement service under supervision of an accredited supervisor must successfully complete a training course that has been accredited by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).
(12) A person performing maintenance, repair, or renovation work involving the disturbance of at 3 square feet of lead paint in a residential rental dwelling unit constructed prior to 1950 must follow certain Maryland State lead-safe work practices found at COMAR 26.16.01.
(13) The Federal Pre-Renovation Lead Information Rule, also known as 406(b) of the Toxic Substances Control Act, requires persons performing renovation for compensation in a pre-1978 residential unit to distribute a lead hazard information pampklet before starting the renovation.
(14) Although Maryland lead (Pb) law does not cover contractors doing maintenance or renovation work in an owner-occupied pre-1978 dwelling unit, the contractors need to exercise safe lead work practices since they can generate lead-contaminated dust.
(15) The contractor whose work causes lead poisoning (Plumbism) may not be subject to enforcement action by MDE, but he or she could be judged as liable in a lawsuit for damages to the health of any person poisoned in the dwelling unit.
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