Lead Dust

I'm living in a rental building in Brooklyn, NY that was built pre-1940s-50s. Workers came in without prior warning the other day while we were at work and tore out a section of our bathroom wall, saying later that they needed to do repairs on the plumbing connected to another apt. Since they didn't bother to clean up, this left a lot of paint chips, debris and dust particles everywhere, including on our toiletries. I'm mainly concerned about the lead dust since the building was built before the 1950s and lead paint/pipes were used in over 75 percent of homes then. Also, we've had to sign numerous notices from our landlord over the years about lead in the building.

The workers came again today to finish the job, and we've told them to cover most of the bathroom and create some barrier so that the dust doesn't spread everywhere. Some of it already spread to the kitchen while they were drilling and taking out tiles. Yet now they are pretty much just closing the door and maybe putting down a tarp on the floor. I doubt this is sufficient; it seems each time they open the door the dust will keep spreading.

I think there are laws that state the prevention of lead dust from spreading, and I've read up on some related to home renovation, but I'm not sure the law applies to a plumbing job in such a small area. I feel like what they've done is in violation and hazardous to our health, especially since the dust is now in our kitchen and possibly the study where we have clothes/books, etc. I've called the landlord about cleaning up the mess and taking precautions about the dust, but he's not putting direct pressure on the workers.

I think this is the last day they're doing the repairs, so I'm more concerned about the aftermath. What are my rights as a tenant in this situation and what should I do? We don't have children, but I've read that lead can negatively affect adults. THANKS

 

Welcome to the forums!

There are a lot of regulations concerning lead based paint and other residential materials containing lead. If I'm not mistaken they are even stricter when it comes to rental property. Whatever part of the gov't handles renter's rights would be able to help point you in the right direction.

That said, the health aspects of adults dealing with lead is more of a danger to long term exposure than a one time instance..... not that you should take it lightly. Since the biggest dangers are breathing the dust and/or ingesting the chips if the clean up [and removal] is done containing the dust/chips - there shouldn't be any further health hazard.

I'd find out what gov't agency handles issues like this and if the landlord doesn't get it cleaned up promptly - let them handle it!

 

Since this is a rental, I would start with the landlord and see where that gets you. If it doesn't resolve the issue, then I would bring in the government agencies (here in WI there is also a branch of the state government which handles consumer issues but I don't whether you have something similar or, if so, what it's called).

 

http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/pub...r-brochure.pdf

Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule | Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil | US EPA

 

It sounds like this is the set of regulations that applies most directly to your situation:

 

Thanks very much--this is super helpful!

 

Thank you for letting us know that.