ELIMINATING THE DANGERS OF LEAD
Lead Abatement in Western Colorado
Certified Lead Abatement for Homes, Rentals, and Commercial Properties
Potential LEad Exposure Should NEVER BE IGNORED
There Is No Safe Level of Lead Exposure
That statement comes directly from the science. No safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Even low levels of lead in blood are associated with developmental delays, difficulty learning, and behavioral issues. The effects of lead poisoning can be permanent and disabling, per the CDC.
Lead paint was banned for residential use in 1978, but that ban didn't make existing paint disappear. Lead paint was used in more than 38 million homes prior to its ban, and this paint can form toxic dust when disturbed during normal home repair work.
Encompass Environmental provides certified lead abatement for properties across Western Colorado and Eastern Utah. We handle testing coordination, full removal, soil and dust cleanup, and post-abatement clearance documentation, so you know the job is actually done.
Are You At Risk?
Where Lead Is Commonly Found
In properties built before 1978 across the Grand Valley, the Colorado River corridor, and eastern Utah communities like Moab and Price, lead paint may be present in a wide range of locations:
High-friction surfaces
Windows, doors, stairs, and railings are the highest-risk areas. Every time a painted surface rubs against another, it generates fine lead dust that settles on floors and windowsills where children crawl and play.
Exterior paint
Weathering exterior lead paint contaminates surrounding soil, sometimes to significant depths. Properties with peeling or chalking exterior often have elevated lead levels in the soil directly below.
Interior walls and trim
Especially in pre-1950 construction where multiple layers of paint have built up over decades.
Plumbing
Lead pipe solder was used in water supply systems until it was banned in 1986. Properties built between 1978 and 1986 may still have lead solder at pipe joints even if the paint is clean.
Porches and outbuildings
Frequently painted and rarely tested. Garages, sheds, and covered porches on older properties are common sources.
Don't Leave the Dangers Unchecked
DON'T RISK BREAKING THE LAW
Lead Regulatory Requirements: What Colorado and Utah Require
At a Federal level, EPA requires that Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and preschools built before 1978 be performed by lead-safe certified contractors.
The RRP Rule requires workers to be certified and trained in the use of lead-safe work practices, and requires renovation, repair, and painting firms to be EPA-certified. These requirements apply to firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and kindergartens built before 1978. Violating the RRP Rule carries significant civil and criminal penalties.
Further to this, Colorado and Utah both have their own regulations regarding Lead which you can find below.
In Colorado
Lead-based paint abatement in Colorado must be conducted by state-certified firms and individuals. State requirements include training, certification, accreditation, and work practice standards, and apply to housing constructed prior to 1978 and child-occupied facilities. These requirements are found in Colorado Air Quality Control Regulation No. 19.
For renovation work specifically, renovation professionals must provide EPA's Renovate Right pamphlet to owners or occupants at least seven days before renovation begins, and a written acknowledgment of receipt must be obtained.
This applies to any renovation that disturbs two square feet or more of a painted surface in a child-occupied facility or housing built before 1978, per .
In Utah
Utah's lead abatement requirements are administered by the Utah DEQ Division of Air Quality's ATLAS section under state rule R307-840, which aligns with federal EPA requirements.
Certified contractors and certified firms are required for abatement work in target housing and child-occupied facilities. If you are working on a property in eastern Utah and need clarification on what applies to your project, contact us and we'll point you in the right direction.
What to Expect
Our Lead Removal Process
Lead hazards require a precise, documented plan. Here is what the process looks like from initial assessment through final clearance.
We start with a targeted risk assessment to identify where lead paint is present, whether it is deteriorating or stable, and which surfaces present the greatest dust-generation risk.
Before any removal begins, the work area is sealed and contained to prevent dust migration. HEPA-filtered negative-pressure ventilation is established, and floors and surfaces are protected.
Abatement includes the removal of lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust, the permanent enclosure or encapsulation of lead-based paint, the replacement of lead-painted surfaces or fixtures, and the removal or covering of lead-contaminated soil.
Where weathering exterior paint has contaminated surrounding soil, we contain and remove contaminated material or arrange for appropriate covering with clean soil or landscaping barriers.
The VERY REAL Dangers of Lead
Why Is Lead So Dangerous?
Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal. Its properties made it attractive for decades as a paint additive, a pipe solder, and a fuel component. Those same properties make it harmful to the human body in ways that are often silent until the damage is done.
Children
Children under six
are at greatest risk, per the CDC. Health problems from lead exposure are a real threat because they are growing quickly. The health effects include damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth and development, learning and behavior problems, and hearing and speech problems.
Children can be exposed to lead from paint in homes built before 1978 that is deteriorating or chipping, soil near older buildings, drinking water delivered through lead pipes, faucets, and plumbing fixtures, and consumer products such as toys and jewelry.
Adults
That said, adults are not exempt. Lead can affect almost every organ and system in your body. Long-term exposure can result in decreased learning, memory, and attention, and weakness in fingers, wrists, or ankles. Lead exposure can cause anemia and damage to the kidneys, and can cause increases in blood pressure, particularly in middle-aged and older individuals.
Pregnancy and fertility
Pregnant women should know the risk of lead exposure because lead can pass to their baby during pregnancy. Breastfeeding can also be a source of lead exposure to babies. Adults who are or have been exposed to lead can also pass lead to their babies when breastfeeding.
Lead exposure has also been linked to miscarriage, premature birth, and reduced fertility in both men and women,
per the CDC.
There are no obviously immediate symptoms
Unlike many toxins, lead is stored in bone tissue and can be remobilized years later, particularly during pregnancy, menopause, or periods of illness, releasing stored lead back into the bloodstream.
There are no obvious immediate symptoms. Lead exposure in children is often difficult to see. Most children have no obvious immediate symptoms. By the time symptoms appear, significant exposure has usually already occurred. This is exactly why prevention and testing matter more than waiting for a health problem to develop.
For more information on health effects, see the CDC's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention page and the ATSDR Lead Toxicity resource.
David Crockett, Owner
WHY CHOOSE ENCOMPASS Environmental
Your
Premier Environmental Cleanup Experts
Led by owner and Grand Junction resident David Crockett, Encompass Environmental blends small-town accountability with top-tier technical expertise.
Our team undergo full background checks, and we're fully insured, bonded, and maintain spotless safety records across all our projects.
Whether you're a homeowner dealing with a remodel surprise, or a commercial property manager needing large-scale abatement, you can trust that our paperwork is airtight and our protocols are strictly by-the-book.
Complete Peace of Mind
SBA Recognized Veteran-Owned Small Business
Full Liability Insurance & Background Checked Team
Your Questions About Hoarding Cleanup Answered
Frequently Asked Questions About Hoarding in Western CO and Eastern UT
When should I test for lead?
Before any renovation or demolition work on a property built before 1978, whenever paint is peeling or chalking on interior or exterior surfaces, after fire or water damage that may have disturbed painted surfaces, if you have young children or a pregnant resident in a pre-1978 home, or when buying or selling a pre-1978 property.
The EPA and CDPHE both recommend testing before renovation regardless of how old the paint looks.
See the CDC's guidance on blood lead testing for children if you have concerns about exposure that may have already occurred.
What is the difference between lead abatement and the EPA RRP Rule?
They are related but distinct. The RRP Rule requires that those engaged in renovation, repair, and painting activities in homes or child-occupied facilities built before 1978 be trained and certified in lead-safe work practices.
Lead abatement specifically covers the complete removal, encapsulation, or enclosure of lead-based paint hazards, and requires a separate certification and permitting process
Abatement is typically required when lead hazards exceed regulatory thresholds or when a property is being fully remediated. RRP compliance applies to any paid renovation work that disturbs painted surfaces in pre-1978 buildings.
Do I need a permit for lead abatement in Colorado?
Yes. Lead-based paint abatement must be conducted by state-certified firms and individuals under Colorado Air Quality Control Regulation No. 19.
Do you handle exterior paint and contaminated soil?
es. Exterior lead paint and contaminated soil are often overlooked but represent a significant exposure risk, particularly for children who play in yards near older homes. We use ground containment to control paint chips and runoff during work, and address soil contamination through removal or covering.
Will I need to move out during abatement?
Testing generally does not require vacating the property. During abatement, the work area is sealed and contained. Temporary relocation is recommended for households with young children or pregnant residents during active abatement work, particularly in child-occupied spaces. We will give you a clear picture of what to expect before work begins.
Is lead abatement covered by insurance?
Sometimes, particularly when abatement is connected to a covered loss such as fire, water damage, or storm damage that disturbed lead-painted surfaces. We coordinate directly with your carrier and adjuster and provide all required documentation to support your claim.
Eliminate the Risk of Lead Exposure
The dangers are real. Our team ensures you're protected and safe from lead exposure.
