Oct 24 2007
Appearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee today, Mike Nagel, 2007 Chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelers, testified on the effectiveness of lead-safe renovation and repair practices used by professional remodelers to reduce lead levels in older homes.
"Professional remodeling, renovation and repair work performed by knowledgeable, trained contractors can serve as an agent against spreading lead hazards in older homes," said Nagel, a remodeler from Chicago.
"Research confirms that lead-safe remodeling and renovation improves lead levels in older homes, and that new hazards are not created when typical remodeling and renovation activities are undertaken by trained professionals."
"The challenge is to find the best way to improve the conditions of older homes and to maximize the public and private sector's resources in reducing childhood lead exposure," said Nagel. "NAHB Remodelers has responded by investing significant resources in research; implementing training and public awareness programs; and working with the EPA and advocacy groups to promote voluntary programs for lead-safe work practices."
NAHB urged Congress to work with the relevant federal agencies to coordinate efforts, fully fund critical lead-safe training programs and effectively use combined resources in a way that maximizes outcomes. NAHB cautioned against imposing inappropriate and costly regulatory burdens on remodelers that would make it cost-prohibitive for consumers to hire trained professionals, or that could lead to further proliferation of potentially harmful do-it-yourself projects. The association is working aggressively to promote the value of lead-safe work practices and the benefits of professional remodeling for older homes.
President of Chicago area design build firm Remodel One, Nagel has more than 15 years of professional remodeling experience. In addition to leading NAHB Remodelers, he has also served as a local leader with the Home Builders Association of Illinois.
For more information about remodeling, visit www.nahb.org/remodel.