The Juanita Craft House was constructed in 1930 and is owned and operated by the City of Dallas as a museum dedicated to its namesake, a civil rights pioneer. In early 2018 a fire protection system failure discharged water damaging ceilings, walls, and floors of several rooms in this 1,000 square foot historical structure. In preparation for significant water damage restoration, in conjunction with asbestos and mold consulting services, Targus was engaged to conduct a pre-renovation lead-based paint survey in advance of mitigation work by others.
The lead-based paint inspection was conducted by a Targus lead inspector licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). The scope of work included X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) device readings for lead content on selected painted surfaces in the museum building. Areas surveyed included interior painted surfaces, and limited exterior surfaces on the south and west of the museum building. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines lead-based paint as any paint or surface coating that contains lead equal to or exceeding one milligram per square centimeter (1.0 mg/cm2) or 0.5% by weight.
Targus’ survey of the water damaged rooms identified areas considered to be lead-based paint (above the EPA threshold of 1.0 mg/cm2). Additional samples were identified within the XRF inconclusive range and are assumed to be lead-based paint unless paint chip sampling and laboratory analysis is conducted and determines otherwise.
Targus recommended that workers who remove, repair, and rehabilitate the water damaged areas may require personal protective equipment to prevent lead exposure. The contractor is responsible for their employee compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements. Paint that has been removed should be appropriately handled and disposed in accordance with federal and state requirements by the contractor.
