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60 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, September 20, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 7, 2004 DEQ tests paint for lead on Fluhrer project By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune A downtown renovation project crew is awaiting test results after receiving an education on lead paint from a state regulatory agency Thursday. The 1933 Fluhrer Bakery Building at 29 N. Holly St. is owned and being renovated by Medford attorney Bill Ferguson. The project is funded in part by a $17,500 fa�ade improvement grant offered through the Medford Urban Renewal Agency. Part of the renovation included pressure-washing old paint off the building. According to Ray Peterson, hazardous waste compliance inspector with the Department of Environmental Quality, there’s a chance the old paint is lead-based. Not only does hydroblasting require a permit, but if there’s lead in the paint, it’s not an approved removal method. Peterson said he was checking out the site Thursday and found that while no paint was getting into the storm drains, it did need to be tested for lead and the paint chips needed to be completely removed every day. Advertisement "Before you start disturbing surfaces ... especially if you have an old building, you should survey it," he said. With pre-1980s buildings, assume there’s lead in the paint, he said. "I instructed them to clean up better and in the future not to use water blasting (for lead-based paint)," said Peterson. "Hydroblasting is not advised for any surface containing lead." He also asked the painter to have it tested for lead, which should take about 10 days, he said. This isn’t the first time he’s had an issue with MURA’s fa�ade improvement program. Peterson said he spoke with MURA officials a few years ago about a fa�ade remodel where workers powerwashed paint off an old building, without testing the paint. "I’ve told them in the past, they’re all old buildings, they should take some control," he said. He said since MURA’s giving fa�ade grant money, it should advise building owners that there very well could be hazardous materials such as lead and asbestos, and to contact DEQ before ripping into renovations. Kurt Olsen, MURA director, said he had not heard of any DEQ concerns with fa�ade improvement projects, but there have only been two or three of the projects completed since he was hired in November. He likes the idea of informing fa�ade program participants of possible hazards. He said he would try to track down a brochure on lead paint to hand out. Historic Preservation Consultant George Kramer said he believes the two coats of paint removed from the Fluhrer Building are latex-based, and that’s why it came off so easily and left the oil-based wall graphic intact. He said he was involved in the building’s restoration project 12 years ago, and knows that coat of paint is latex, and he believes the coat below that was put on in the late 1980s. "I think we’re OK," he said, adding that the paint removal is nearly completed anyway. The federal government banned interior and exterior lead paints in 1978. Even in tiny doses, lead poses a major health threat to young children. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] Cautions, safety procedures for lead paint The older a home, the more likely it has a lead paint problem. Inexpensive lead test kits are available at most hardware and paint stores. Undisturbed or simply painted over, pre-1978 paint is generally harmless. But renovation work that involves power (sand) blasting, dry scraping and dry sanding can create dangerous lead dust. Powerwashing creates lead-contaminated wastewater. Heat guns above 750 degrees can create toxic lead fumes. To safely remove lead paint, hire a pro or follow these guidelines: Mist the surface with water and scrape with a hand scraperor wire brush. Wear protective clothing and equipment and wash the clothing separate from other family clothing. Spread plastic sheets or a tarp to cover the ground and trap debris. For more information on techniques, cleanup and proper disposal, contact the local Department of Environmental Quality office at 776-6010 or Oregon Health Services at 503-731-4500. — Information provided by the Oregon Department of Human Services at www.dhs.state.or.us/publichealth/leadpaint/flyer.cfm on the Web. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities