Illinois EPA – Information Statement on the Removal of Lead-Based Paint

The next time you see an old house being torn down look to see if the contractor is making the necessary precautions to prevent lead-based contaminants such as chips or dust from the paint from getting into the soil and the air. Chances are close to 100% that you won’t see any precautions even though they are required to do so by Illinois and Federal law. I saw a house being torn down on Wrightwood a few days ago as I was walking by with my kids and knew the air we were breathing would almost surely be tested as positive for high levels of lead an obvious known hazardous substance. We won’t see the results of this fleeting moments today or tomorrow but they can easily manifest themselves into something significant in terms of negative health effects. Why doesn’t the city enforce the laws when they issue demolition permits? My guess is because the citizens do not know the law. This is a cut/paste direct from the Illinois EPA website on the subject. What do you think? 

Information Statement On The Removal Of Lead-Based Paint

http://www.epa.state.il.us/chemical-safety/lead-based-paint/analysis-disposal.html

What is Residential LBP Waste?

Residential LBP waste is waste generated by a homeowner or contractor through LBP removal activities from a household. Solid waste that is generated from a household is exempt from being a hazardous waste under Section 721.104(b)(1). Household is defined in Illinois’ Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations at 35 Ill. Adm. Code Section 721.104(b)(1) as: “. . .single and multiple residences, hotels and motels, bunkhouses, ranger stations, crew quarters, campgrounds, picnic grounds and day-use recreation areas. . .” Residential soil contaminated with LBP also meets the definition of household LBP waste.

Handling and Disposal of Residential LBP Waste

LBP waste removed from a household by the homeowner or a contractor meets the household waste exemption and may be disposed of as municipal waste. LBP waste derived from a household must be sent to a landfill, incinerator or other waste facility that is permitted by the Illinois EPA to accept municipal waste. If LBP is removed from the original substrate to which it was adhered, precautions must be taken to properly containerize the waste in order to prevent releases to the air, land and water. If the contractor/generator collects the LBP waste at ground level, an impermeable base or liner must be placed on the ground to prevent soil contamination.

During precipitation events, or if liquid wastes are generated during removal activities, measures must be taken to ensure that water contaminated with waste is contained and does not contaminate surrounding soil and surface water. In addition, precautions must be taken to prevent releases to the air which may result in soil and/or surface water contamination and exposure of LBP removal worker(s) and the general public.

Questions concerning the certification of special waste should be directed to the Bureau of Land’s permit section at (217) 524-3300.

The requirements for the management of solid waste in Illinois are identified by statutes in the Environmental Protection Act and regulations adopted thereunder by the Illinois Pollution Control Board. The purpose of the statutory and regulatory requirements identified above is to protect human health and the environment by ensuring that wastes are handled in a safe and responsible manner in order to prevent the contamination of air, water, soil and groundwater in Illinois. For a copy of the statutes or regulations, please write to:

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Bureau of Land (#33)
P.O. Box 19276
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9276
or call (217) 524-3300

via email from

Jim Gramata
The Gramata Realty Group
2214 N Lincoln Avenue Chicago, IL 60614
www.GramataRealtyGroup.com

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