b'Window Replacement RequiresLead Testing and RRP PracticesThe EPA has put window replacement on the list of the most dangerous sources If a Packet of Sweet n Low of lead dust along side belt sanders and heat guns. Under RRPs 6 sqft rule, were Lead Dust, it could which allows ignoring of lead safe practices in a target house, the lone exception contaminate 10 homes.is window replacement. Even the press targets lead painted windows, evidencedby the powerful article in USA Today (go tohttp://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-10-28-lead-cover_N.htm). Program money for lead removal is earmarked far more for window replacement than for siding, roofing, or other supposed lead paint hot spots.Part of the lead dust study conducted by the EPA shows far greater dust creationthan all the other projects except high power heat gun and power planning:Dust lead levels (in \x00g/ft2): Cut-outs422.Kitchen cabinet removal958.Low temperature heat gun2,080.Dry scraping2,686.Window replacement3,993.Kids Love Lead Dust. High temperature heat gun7,737.Power planing32,644. When the jobs were done, the residual lead dust followed the same order withwindow replacement only surpassed by heat gun use (which is banned) andpower planning (which is restricted). Why are windows so much trouble? There are three primary reasons:1. More sources of lead paint are on windows. Due to the durability oflead paint and its weatherability, approximately three-quarters of the homes builtbefore 1978 contain some lead-based paint most commonly found on exterior-painted surfaces, doors, and windows- almost 2 to 1 over interior lead paintsources.And, because windows bridge outside to inside, lead based paint coatedwindows bring the lead paint to the inside surfaces.2. Moisture absorbed bubbles the paint, creating chips. Lead painthas never been the culprit. Lead chips (which kids eat) and lead dust (which Opening and Closingeveryone breathes) are the culprit. Years of rain, moisture and weathering have Constantly Grinds Lead Dustallowed old wood windows and trim to absorb moisture. And just as lead paintkept out the moisture, it also traps the moisture in the wood. This causes even-tual breaking of the bond, paint bubbles, eventual paint cracking as it dries, andthe creation of lead paint chips.3. Opening and Closing of Windows is like a pepper grinder. Repeatedopening and closing of sliding windows (vertical or horizontal) will grind the paintchips into dust, day after day. One only needs to look into the trough of a windowto see the result.So it is not hard to imagine disturbing even the smallest amountof surface area on an old window can create the very dust and debris that theToxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of the early 1990s labeled as poisoningchildren and threatening the health of the workers doing window replacement. Old Paint makes Lead ChipsWindow Fitters Guide to Window Installation1402020 AWDI, LLC Do not reproduce without permission'