Asbestos and Lead Information for Municipal Officials

This information is for town health officers, city or town officials, and zoning, fire or code enforcement officials.

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Why are asbestos and lead regulated in Vermont?

Asbestos and lead pose health risks, and they may be found in buildings and other structures. Because of this, the Health Department and the Environmental Protection Agency have specific requirements for the maintenance, renovation and demolition of buildings and other structures.

Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are only dangerous when they are disturbed or handled incorrectly. If ACMs are not handled properly, asbestos particles can be breathed in. Even a small amount of ACM can cause health effects. Learn more about the hazards and health effects of asbestos.

Lead-based paint becomes a hazard when it is disturbed. This can be from chipping and peeling paint, when painted surfaces rub together, or when the paint is not properly sanded, scraped or burned. If lead-based paint is not handled properly, lead dust can be breathed in or swallowed by workers and by people, especially children, who use the building or other structure. Learn more about the hazards and health effects of lead.

What You Need to Know About Asbestos and Lead Requirements

What is the process for planning a renovation or demolition?

Asbestos

Lead

Unsafe work practices that disturb lead-based paint will create lead hazards (see Section 5). Under Vermont law, if lead hazards are created in any building or structure, the owner will be responsible for the cleanup that will require them to hire a Vermont-licensed lead abatement contractor.

Where can I find information and trainings for town health officers?
What are safe work practices for asbestos and lead?

Asbestos

Under Vermont law, only licensed contractors are allowed to perform asbestos abatement activities and must follow the regulations regarding the handling and disposing of asbestos-containing materials.

Unsafe handling of asbestos-containing materials often leads to the need for asbestos cleanup by a Vermont-licensed asbestos contractor.

Lead

Under Vermont law, contractors are required to use lead-safe work practices.

Unsafe work practices that disturb lead-based paint will create lead hazards (see Section 5). Under Vermont law, if lead hazards are created in any building or structure, you will be responsible for the cleanup that will require you to hire a Vermont-licensed lead abatement contractor.

Prohibited practices may be allowed if specifically authorized in writing by the Health Department. Depending on the property and the work being performed, IRC (Inspection, Repair and Cleaning) Practices or RRPM (Repair, Renovation, Paint and Maintenance) certification may be required.

What are Inspection, Repair and Cleaning (IRC) Practices compliance statements?

If a residential rental property or child care facility was built before 1978, the landlord, property owner or property management company is required to:

  1. Complete IRC Practices annually (must be completed by a certified person).
  2. Sign a compliance statement certifying that IRC Practices have been done.
  3. Provide a copy of the compliance statement to their tenants, their insurance carrier, and the Health Department.

Learn more about IRC Practices and the Vermont Lead Poisoning Prevention Law

How can I test for asbestos or lead hazards?

Asbestos

If you want to know whether there are asbestos-containing materials in a home, building, structure or material, hire a Vermont-licensed asbestos inspector to conduct an inspection.

Lead

Lead-Based Paint

If you want to know whether lead-based paint is on a home, building or other structure, hire a Vermont-certified lead inspector or risk assessor to conduct a lead inspection or risk assessment. A lead inspection determines the presence or absence of lead-based paint on painted or coated surfaces. A risk assessment identifies lead hazards from deteriorated paint, dust and bare soil, and ways to control the lead hazards.

Drinking Water

Test kits for lead in drinking water can be purchased from the Health Department Laboratory. Find out more about testing for lead in drinking water

Where can I find informational materials about asbestos and lead (posters, fact sheets, etc)?

Asbestos

Lead

What are the rules about worker safety (VOSHA)?

Asbestos

Worker safety is addressed in the:

Lead

Worker safety is addressed in the:

More Information
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Vermont Regulations for Asbestos Control
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Vermont Regulations for Lead Control
/environment/healthy-homes/lead-hazards-and-lead-poisoning
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Lead Hazards and How to Prevent Lead Poisoning
Contact Us

Asbestos & Lead Regulatory Program

Mailing Address:

VT Dept of Health
Environmental Health
Asbestos & Lead Regulatory Program
280 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671-8350

Email: ALRP@vermont.gov

Phone: 802-863-7220 or 800-439-8550 (toll-free in Vermont)

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