BALTIMORE LANDLORD LEAD PAINT REMOVAL --- LEGAL DEFENSE ADVICE 101

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Charles Jerome Ware, LLC is a premier Maryland-based, nationally recognized and respected, landlord lead-based paint poisoning legal defense law firm. For an initial courtesy consultation, contact the firm at (410) 720-6129. We can help you.


Lead (Pb) is relatively easy to detect. You can buy home-use kits that contain simple swabs which turn color when drawn over lead-based surfaces.


Because lead (Pb) is not able to dissolve in water or biodegrade, dissipate, decay, or burn,  it can be very harmful to the body. An estimated 10 million or more metric tons of lead residue is contained in the earth's environment.


With respect to the removal of lead ( lead abatement) from Baltimore residential units (houses and apartments) it is important to understand that the wholesale removal of the lead-based paint, or even sanding and re-painting, may not be the best solution. The reason for this is because these types of residential unit renovations frequently can create and release enormous amounts of lead (Pb) dust --- which can be the most serious vector for lead poisoning ( "plumbism").. Unless the lead-based paint removal is done by well-trained, certified personnel, the well-intentioned removal of lead paint may actually create a larger problem than originally existed.


Several states, including, have  training and licensing requirements for lead abatement professionals.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations also contain specifications for the training and certification of lead (Pb) removal workers.


In our opinion, the most effective  six(6) steps for Baltimore landlords to take in dealing with lead-based paint removal (lead abatement) are:


(1) Inspect the pre-1978 built property for deteriorated paint.
(2) Clean up lead-contaminated dust with a good vacuum cleaner and detergent that is specifically designed to pick up lead. Your certified and well-trained lead removal professionals should have one of these machines in their inventory.
(3) Re-paint with non-lead-based paint to provide a strong, cleanable surface.
(4) Educate your tenants on how to identify, control and clean up any lead dust that might still be present.
(5) Monitor lead (Pb) dust situations.
(6) Do as much as possible, within the recommendations of your expert professionals, to prevent the accumulation of lead dust.