Key takeaways
- CDC says homes built before 1978 probably contain lead-based paint, and no safe blood lead level in children has been identified.
- EPA's RRP rule covers paid work, and can also reach owners who rent, run childcare or flip homes.
- The rule not covering you doesn't make the work safe, so get advice before disturbing old paint.
If your home was built before 1978, or you don't know when, stop and check before you sand, scrape or remove paint. CDC says these homes probably contain lead-based paint, and that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified.
This guide is general information, not a safety plan or legal advice.
Does EPA's rule apply to you?
EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program covers paid work that disturbs painted surfaces in pre-1978 homes, childcare facilities and preschools. Firms doing that work must be certified.
| Your situation | What EPA says |
|---|---|
| You're hiring someone for pay | The rule generally applies, so ask to see the firm's certification |
| You own and live in the home, and do the work yourself | Generally not covered by RRP |
| You rent out part or all of the home | You can be covered |
| You run a childcare center in the home | You can be covered |
| You're renovating to flip for profit | You can be covered |
Some states and one tribal program run their own versions in place of EPA's: Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin and the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe-Boise Forte. State and local rules may differ, so check yours.
Not being covered by RRP doesn't make a job safe. The dust is the same whoever makes it, and it matters most where children or pregnant people live.
What about "minor repairs"?
RRP's rules define minor repair work by size, with a threshold of 6 square feet per room inside. That's a rule about which requirements apply, not a safe amount of dust. The same definition doesn't cover window replacement, whatever its size.
What testing can tell you
EPA's rules let certain work skip RRP where components are documented free of lead, through a certified renovator's use of an EPA-recognized test kit, lab results from a paint chip, or a written determination. A home's age alone doesn't prove anything either way, and a store-bought kit isn't a guarantee that DIY work is safe.
Your next step
- Hiring? Ask for the firm's RRP certification, and how it will contain the dust and clean up.
- Doing it yourself? Start with EPA's and CDC's guidance before any prep, and talk to your state or local lead program.
- Children, or someone pregnant, in the home? Talk to your health provider or local health department before disturbing old paint.
Then come back to the paint calculator for quantities.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just paint over old lead paint?
We can't tell you that's safe for your walls. Peeling paint and surface preparation are the issue, so get guidance from your local lead program or a certified professional first.
My home was built after 1978. Am I fine?
The 1978 date is where these rules and CDC's warning draw the line, but it doesn't certify any home as free of lead.
Is 6 square feet safe to sand?
No figure in the rule says that. It only marks one of the rule's exclusions, and it doesn't apply to every job.
Sources
We use primary sources where we can: building codes, federal rules and manufacturer documents. Read our editorial standards.
- EPA: Renovation, Repair and Painting program
- 40 CFR 745.82 and 745.83
- CDC: Preventing childhood lead poisoning