LaHouse lead-safe certification, mold remediation classes set

BATON ROUGE — The LSU AgCenter LaHouse Resource Center will hold a lead-safe certified renovator course on Oct. 17, and a mold control and remediation course from Oct. 18-20. LaHouse offers these classes for contractors in support of its “healthy homes” educational program and goal.
“What contractors learn in these courses is even more important and greatly needed in the aftermath of Louisiana’s 2016 floods and now hurricanes Harvey and Irma,” said Claudette Hanks Reichel, LSU AgCenter extension housing specialist. “Improper deconstruction, clean-up and repair methods can cause serious health hazards — and liability — from lead-paint dust and mold contamination.”
Reichel pointed out that very low levels of lead in children can cause irreversible damage to developing brains and other organs. It can lead to learning and behavior disorders, impaired hearing and other developmental health effects without any symptoms of poisoning. Lead exposure can also worsen high blood pressure in adults.
Contractors who work on pre-1978 homes and child-occupied facilities are required by the Environmental Protection Agency Renovation, Repair and Painting rule to be certified and use lead-safe work practices. LaHouse Resource Center is an approved trainer through EnviroEd, a nationwide EPA-accredited RRP training provider.
Mold growth begins on materials that stay wet for two to three days and can multiply quickly, Reichel said. Rapid and safe cleaning and drying methods are needed to prevent a mold population explosion and the health hazards of high exposure. People with asthma, allergies or compromised immunity are at greatest risk.
In Louisiana, any mold remediation project with a value of $1 or more requires a Louisiana Mold Remediation Contractor license. The LaHouse mold control and remediation course meets the educational requirement for a Louisiana license and provides both the technical how-to nationally recognized protocols of remediation as well as an understanding of moisture dynamics and mold characteristics to help ensure effective and safe solutions.
Both courses qualify for continuing education unit hours for Louisiana residential contractors and home inspectors. Further information, course fees and links to register are available at www.lsuagcenter.com/LaHouse. For additional questions, email lahouse@agcenter.lsu.edu.
LaHouse is a research-based showcase of solutions for sustainable, high-performance housing for the Southern climate and conditions. The mission of LaHouse is to shape the future with homes that offer more comfort, durability, value, convenience, environmental quality, safety and better health with less energy, water, pollution, waste, damage and loss.