Westover in Arlington
Many houses and apartments built before 1978 have paint that contains lead (called lead-based paint). Lead-based paint is perfectly safe when treated properly, but lead from paint, chips, and dust can pose serious health hazards if not taken care of properly. Lead is especially dangerous when ingested. Lead poses a greater risk to small children who might ingest paint chips.
Recognizing that families have a right to know about lead-based paint and potential lead hazards in their homes, Congress directed EPA and HUD to work together to develop disclosure requirements for sales and leases of older housing. These requirements became effective in 1996.
Federal law requires that individuals receive certain information before renting or buying a pre-1978 housing:
LANDLORDS have to disclose known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before leases take effect. Leases must include a disclosure form about lead-based paint.
SELLERS have to disclose known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before selling a house. Sales contracts must include a disclosure form about lead-based paint. Buyers have up to ten days to check for lead hazards.
Renovating, repairing or painting a home, child care facility or school containing lead-based paint
River Towers in Alexandria
Beginning in April 2010, federal law will require that contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.
Until that time, EPA recommends that anyone performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools follow lead-safe work practices. The contractor should follow these three simple procedures:
Contain the work area
Minimize dust
Clean up throughly
To learn more check out the following EPA pamphlets on renovation, repair and painting:
Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools (PDF) (20 pp, 3.7MB)
Arlington Heights in Arlington
Contractors: Lead Safety During Renovation (PDF) (2 pp, 1.5MB) HTML version
A new study by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Housing and Urban Development has found that many homeowners may be unsuspecting victims of medical problems -- ranging from asthma attacks to lung cancer -- caused by components and conditions in their residences.
Researchers say more than 20 million housing units have a lead-based paint hazard, while over 6.8 million homes have radon exposures above the level considered safe.
The problem is that too many homeowners and renters are unaware of the link between their dwellings and their health. Radon exposure, for instance, has no immediate symptoms; and carbon monoxide poisoning can initially present flu-like symptoms. Furthermore, exposure to some toxins may be confused with seasonal allergies.
Researchers assert that a reduction in illness and accidents relies heavily on consumers being vigilant about the dangers in their housing. Nancy Harvey Steorts, a Northern Virginia real estate agent and former chair of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, remarks, "People spend more time looking at the kitchen countertops than they do at issues that can cause serious health problems. There are so many elements to having a home that's truly safe."
Source: "Many Factors Can Turn a House Into an Unhealthy Place to Live," Washington Post (04/13/13)
Home Prices In Arlington Continue To Hike
The housing market in Arlington County is getting more and more expensive as potential buyers continue to have fewer homes and condos to choose from.
Inlet Cove is alongside Route 1 This neighborhood of townhouses is near grocers and eateries Inlet Cove is close to Fort Belvoir, Alexandria, and Potomac Mills shops, in the city of Woodbridge Interior to these properties are multilevel Inlet Cove is serene
Pending home sales increased again in March, affirming that a surge of home sales is unfolding for the spring home buying season, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in March, rose 5.3 percent to 102.9 from 97.7 in February, and is 21.1…
Some of the best housing deals are on high-end homes, many over $1 million. Some of them need TLC or they aren’t in the most-coveted locations. But there are plenty of desirable properties and lots of sellers who are getting impatient. Buyers with cash have the best opportunities. Buyers who need a mortgage should move…
The National Association of Realtors recently did a study about the characteristics of home buyers. Some of the findings might surprise you. Thirteen percent of buyers purchased a home with one or more parents and grandparents together with adult children. There were several reasons given for purchasing a multi-generational home. Cost savings; Children over the…
Researchers say more than 20 million housing units have a lead-based paint hazard, while over 6.8 million homes have radon exposures above the level considered safe.
The problem is that too many homeowners and renters are unaware of the link between their dwellings and their health. Radon exposure, for instance, has no immediate symptoms; and carbon monoxide poisoning can initially present flu-like symptoms. Furthermore, exposure to some toxins may be confused with seasonal allergies.
Researchers assert that a reduction in illness and accidents relies heavily on consumers being vigilant about the dangers in their housing. Nancy Harvey Steorts, a Northern Virginia real estate agent and former chair of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, remarks, "People spend more time looking at the kitchen countertops than they do at issues that can cause serious health problems. There are so many elements to having a home that's truly safe."
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