If you are hiring a contractor for lead abatement, mitigation, or removal services, you need to make sure that they have the proper licensure. Home and general residential contractors should be up to date on all the proper licensure requirements, as residential lead abatement needs to be handled with particular attention to detail.
Because we spend more than 50 percent of our lives indoors, it is important to make sure families have a healthy home in which to live. Children are at a higher risk to lead exposure as they are still growing, discovering their environment, and potentially exploring areas where many hazards exist.
Identifying Potential Health Risks
Some of the serious health problems children experience start from what families do or have in their homes. Good mental and physical health depends on homes that are well maintained and free of hazards. On the other hand, poorly maintained homes and homes containing health hazards, promote poorer quality health and risk of injury. The seven principles of healthy housing as defined by the National Center for Healthy Housing are:
- Clean
- Dry
- Ventilated
- Safe
- Well-maintained
- Free of pests
- Free of contaminants
Understanding, identifying, and eliminating the dangers that may be in your home, may protect your family. To assist you in evaluating your home for hazards, the program has developed the brochure, Keeping Your Home Healthy and Safe.
Where Lead-Based Paint is Found
About 75 percent of Illinois homes built before 1978 contain some lead-based paint. Lead-based paint was used both inside and outside of homes, especially on windows, baseboards, trim, and doors to ensure its durability. After many years of exposure to moisture and climate changes, the paint begins to deteriorate, causing lead dust and chips to settle in window wells, and on door frames and porches.
Even the deepest layers of lead-based paint can be disturbed during remodeling or home repair. The only way to know for sure if your home contains lead-based paint is to have it tested by an IDPH licensed lead professional.
Illinois Lead Abatement Credentials
All licenses or accreditations shall be renewed annually in accordance with the Lead Poisoning Prevention Code. Applicants shall be responsible for ensuring that a renewal application is submitted to the Program prior to the due date established by Code.
The Department sends renewal letters to licensees and training course providers that can be completed and submitted along with the applicable non-refundable fees to the Department. It is the responsibility of the licensees and training course providers to know when their licenses expire and when late fees and renewal fees are applicable.
Requirements for Illinois Lead Abatement Licensure
License Qualifications for Lead Abatement Contractor In accordance with the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act and Code, the Department shall license persons desiring to serve as lead abatement contractors.
Click here for the General Assembly’s Illinois Administrative Code on lead.
The following list of requirements is what every lead contractor must complete and update on a regular basis.
- An application on a form provided by the Department
- $500 non-refundable license fee
- The name and ID number of an Illinois lead licensed supervisor
- A written statement signed by the contractor specifying that only lead workers licensed by the Department will be employed for lead abatement
- A copy of the contractor’s written standard operating procedures and employee protection plans, which shall include specific reference to medical monitoring and respirator training programs as required in OSHA regulations at 29 CFR 1910.1001 and 29 CRF 1926.62 (1993)
- A description detailing all legal proceedings, lawsuits, or claims which have been filed or levied against the contractor or any of his past or present employees or companies in regard to construction-related activities. If none, then submit a signed statement to that effect
- A licensed abatement contractor shall:
– Be fully knowledgeable of general renovation techniques, including lead-based paint abatement
– Train (or arrange for training of) workers and supervisors on engineering controls and good work practices relating to abatement and on the importance of adherence to these controls and practices
– Assure the safety of workers and prepare a worker protection plan
– Assure that all work is conducted in accordance with the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act and Code
- The Department must receive a Notice of Commencement of Lead Abatement or Mitigation Project Form by fax or mail at least 7 working days prior to commencement of all lead abatement or mitigation conducted in any residential dwelling or childcare facility, including schools that are visited by children 6 years old and younger, located in Illinois. This notification applies to all interior and exterior lead abatement or mitigation conducted in the above-referenced facilities. Notification is not required for commercial/industrial buildings at this time
Illinois Environmental Contractors Association Resources
For more information on finding a local contractor to assist with the lead abatement process, check the resources below: