| New Environmental Protection Agency laws that | | | | 99.97% efficiency. The vacuum cleaner must be |
| went in to effect in April of 2010 require the use | | | | designed so that all the air drawn into the machine |
| of HEPA vacuums during renovation, repair, and | | | | is expelled through the HEPA filter with none of |
| paint work on pre 1978 homes. The rules | | | | the air leaking past it." |
| referred to as RRP affect contractors, property | | | | The message is clear. Vacums for lead paint |
| managers, and landlords. The role of the HEPA | | | | removal must be purpose designed from the |
| vacuum is to provide the primary means of | | | | beginning. Adding HEPA filters to vacuums that |
| cleaning up lead based paint dust and debris. Since | | | | were not designed for the task will only |
| clean up of lead is the primary objective, the | | | | compound problems. Purchasing the right vacuum |
| HEPA vacuum is the single most important piece | | | | is of paramount importance. |
| of equipment that a contractor and property | | | | One of the major issues with HEPA vacuums is |
| manager can purchase. Purchasing the wrong lead | | | | the rate at which filters clog. Since filters capture |
| paint vacuum that does not do the job properly | | | | 99.7% of dust at.3 microns, the filters have a |
| will cost countless hours in re-cleaning job sites, | | | | tough job to do. In performing their task, they |
| and worst yet, leaving a contaminated job site. | | | | choke up quickly with fine dust and debris, causing |
| Improper cleaning can lead to fines of $37,500. | | | | the vacuum to load up and reduce the airflow and |
| EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule | | | | cleaning power. This leads to big problems during |
| requires the use of equipment with a High | | | | lead clean up; the vacuum is not cleaning properly, |
| Efficiency Particulate Air filter under two | | | | and the operator is forced to change filters in the |
| circumstances: "HEPA Vacuum" is required as part | | | | middle of the operation. This is a dangerous slope |
| of the interior work area cleaning: 40 CFR | | | | to go down, because changing filters in mid-job |
| 745.85(a)(5)(ii) states that "The firm must clean all | | | | risks introduction of lead dust back in to the job |
| objects and surfaces in the work area and within | | | | site. Also, one of the major complaints from |
| 2 feet of the work area in the following manner, | | | | contractors is the frequency and cost of changing |
| cleaning from higher to lower: 1. Walls. Clean walls | | | | the HEPA filters. One contractor is spending |
| starting at the ceiling and working down to the | | | | upwards of $400 per month on replacement |
| floor by either vacuuming with a HEPA vacuum or | | | | filters for just one machine. |
| wiping with a damp cloth. 2. Remaining surfaces. | | | | The answer to the problem is using a lead paint |
| Thoroughly vacuum all remaining surfaces and | | | | removal vacuum that has self cleaning filter |
| objects in the work area, including furniture and | | | | technology. Once such technology is HEPA |
| fixtures, with a HEPA vacuum. The vacuum must | | | | No-Clog™ which provides an automatic cleaning |
| be equipped with a beater bar when vacuuming | | | | of the filters during operation. This effectively |
| carpets and rugs." EPA defines a HEPA vacuum at | | | | eliminates the frequent changing of filters, |
| 40 CFR 745.83. "HEPA vacuum means a vacuum | | | | contamination of the job site, and the added |
| cleaner which has been designed with a | | | | costs of selecting the wrong vacuum. Selecting |
| high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter as the | | | | the right tools for EPA RRP compliance is crucial |
| last filtration stage. A HEPA filter is a filter that is | | | | to getting the job done properly, avoiding fines, |
| capable of capturing particles of 0.3 microns with | | | | and reducing job site liability. |