The federal government is cracking down on contractors to keep your children safe from lead poisoning.
Whether you're simply fixing your plumbing or re-painting your entire home, if you own an older home this new regulation could affect you.
For Tamara Rubin, the new regulation is a small victory. Five years ago two of her children tested positive for lead poisoning. She says they suffered irreversible brain damage and now struggle with learning disabilities and immune deficiencies.
The result, she says, of a contractor who improperly removed the paint from her old home.
"Our children were poisoned by a painting contractor ... a contractor who told us he had taken a training class, a contractor who told us he was certified, and we didn't think to ask him for a certificate so we didn't know ... we believed him and let him do the work," explained Rubin.
The new EPA regulation requires any contractor renovating, repairing or painting a home built before 1978 get certified in lead-safe work practices.
Robert Curry has been certified in lead-based paint removal for years, but he knows many contractors out there are not.
"A lot of people are taking the low bidder and trying to save a little money on having their house remodeled and they're causing thousands and thousands of dollars worth of damage," said Curry.
Under the new rule contractors working on pre-1978 homes will have to take special training courses which, in some cases, may result in higher renovation costs. But for homeowners like Rubin it's a small price to pay for their child's health.
Under the new EPA rules, if a contractor does work with lead based paint and is not certified they could face a fine up to $37,500 a day.
