So, what’s the big deal? Why is everyone so up-in-arms and worried about the whole lead paint issue? Why is the EPA creating new regulations and going to such extremes?

In order to answer this question you have to have some basic information on lead poisoning. The most common sources of lead poisoning are:

1. Deteriorating lead-based paint
2. Lead contaminated dust
3. Lead contaminated residential soil

Long-term exposure to lead can cause damage to the brain and nervous system, behavior and learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems and headaches in children. For adults it can lead to reproductive problems, high blood pressure, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems, and muscle and joint pain.

If your home was built before 1978 you may be exposed to this hazard on a daily basis. Due to these serious health concerns the EPA has enacted new regulations which will affect the entire Home Improvement industry. These will go into effect for all projects beginning from April 22nd of this year on. To meet the requirements, all contractors who work on homes built before 1978 must have completed the course and received their EPA Lead-Safe Certification.

For those in the industry who have not completed the requirements yet, you have only 28 days remaining to do so. For all homeowners who are, or will be interviewing contractors, make sure you ask them about their certification and request to see a copy of the certificate. If you would like more information visit the EPA’s site at http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm or call us at 714-558-1094.

Earlier this week Cambria Natural Quartz Surfaces and Benjamin Moore Paints announced a new partnership:

“Cambria and Benjamin Moore have joined forces to offer pre-selected countertop and paint color combinations to help you achieve a designer look in your home or business. Chosen by trained color professionals, these suggestions can add confidence and ease to your color selection process.”

This arrangement makes it easy for customers to choose colors which will accentuate one another beautifully. The user friendly coordination tool on the Cambria website is a simple way to find exactly the right combination of colors which were chosen by trained color professionals.

Please leave your comments and feed back once you’ve tried the new tool. We’d love to know what you think about it!