Common renovation and painting activities like sanding, cutting, and scraping can create and spread hazardous lead dust and cause lead poisoning. Nearly half of all the investigations for childhood lead poisoning in Oregon found that remodeling or repainting was the source of exposure.

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued a new rule, called the "Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule." Under the new rule, contractors performing renovation on homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.