Construction firms, like D.R. Casey, say the laws against lead are difficult to comply with.
Construction businesses, already hurting due to the financial crunch, are in for another long haul. Federal rules on cutting down lead exposure give contractors until October to get certified – and get equipment such as Tyvek suits and vacuum cleaners.
“That stuff’s expensive,” said Harriet Casey at the D. R. Casey contracting firm in Syracuse. The rules only apply to buildings built before 1978, when lead paint was banned. But, it affects many contractors in Central New York because:
- In Onondaga County, 62% of housing units were built before 1970.
In Syracuse, 81% of units were built before 1970.
This building in Syracuse was built in early 1900’s. 81% of units in the city were built before 1970.
'Out of business':
Casey’s worried that the rules, and high fines of up to $37,500 a day, could put many small contractors out of business. “I think there will be a lot of smaller contractors who won’t know what they need to do to comply,” she said.
Construction worker, Rupert Christy, believes he’ll never get lead poisoning.
The lack of awareness is common. Construction worker, Rupert Christy, believes he could never contract lead poisoning. Christy said on most jobs, the workers only wear respiratory masks and eye glasses.
'They're killin' us':
Under the new rules, this will have to change. Individual works have until September to enroll in a certification class. At A Waltz Construction, a one-man remodeling setup, the contractor said, “The rules are killin’ us”.
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