Milton, Massachusetts - Board of Health Policies

Article II, section 3. of these Regulations deals with the requirement for connection of properties to the public sewer, if the sewer is available. Article I section 3. defines “available” when: the property upon which a building is situated abuts a street, easement or right-of-way in which a public sewer is located. If said building is more than one hundred and fifty (150) feet from the nearest public sewer, application may be made in writing to the Board to declare the Public Sewer “Not Available”.

It has been the Board of Health policy since 1983 to require properties to connect to the sewer system at the time of sale or at the time of septic system/cesspool failure, if the sewer is “available”. If a property owner is anticipating a sale and town sewer is available, there is no need for a Title 5 inspection, as a sewer connection is required regardless of inspection results.

Property owners who have special circumstances they would like the Board of Health to consider should make a written request to the Board. This request should include an explanation of why they do not want to make the sewer connection, estimates of the proposed connection cost and a copy of a Title 5 inspection report with a Passing Category.

If you are thinking about painting the exterior of your home and need to remove the underlying paint, there are a few things to be aware of before the paint removal process begins. The first thing to remember is that power sanding is not allowed in Milton unless proper equipment is used to reduce the large amounts of dust which can potentially pollute the air. Second, if your house was built before 1978, it should be assumed that the paint is leaded, which can cause lead poisoning if scraped or sanded improperly.

If you decide to power sand your home, it is best to hire a contractor properly trained and equipped to reduce dust and thereby reduce air pollution. Power sanding tools must be equipped with a special HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter vacuum attachments. Barriers must be set up to prevent dust from migrating by using drop cloths or tarps placed at the base of the building. The tarps should extend far enough out to catch any falling debris. The area that is being sanded should be curtained off by the use of tarps to contain the dust. Hand scraping is a recommended alternative to power sanding, but tarps must still be used to collect paint chips. Spraying a wet mist on the area being scraped can reduce dust.

If there is a possibility the old paint contains lead then additional precautions should be taken to prevent your exposure to the lead-contaminated dust. Preferably, a NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) approved respirator with HEPA cartridges should be worn. Another kind of respirator that may be worn is a disposable N100-rated respirator. Paper masks do not protect you from lead dust. It is recommended that painter’s hats, disposable coveralls, safety goggles and gloves also be worn and there should be no eating, smoking, or chewing gum while the sanding/scraping takes place.

Lead paint can be found in any home built before 1978. If you are planning to renovate a home built before 1978, have it tested for lead by a licensed lead inspector or assume that all paint contains lead and follow the safety guidelines listed below to protect your family. If you are hiring a worker, request that they follow the guidelines.

The lead dust and debris created during renovations and surface preparation for painting can lead poison children and adults. Childhood lead poisoning can permanently damage the brain, kidneys and nervous system. Even low levels of lead in children, especially those under the age of six, can cause learning and behavioral problems. Adults with high lead levels can develop reproductive problems, high blood pressure, headaches, memory and concentration problems, kidney damage, mood changes, sleep problems, and muscle or joint pain.

Only workers should be in the work area during renovations. Children and pregnant or nursing women should not go in the work area until after it has been properly cleaned. Pets should also be kept away from the work area. No person under the age of 18 years shall be employed to work on any renovation in which lead may be present.

-Close doors and windows and tape heavy plastic around them. Shut down ventilation systems and tape heavy plastic over heating ducts, vents and grates. This prevents lead dust from spreading throughout the house.

-Protect all food, appliances, utensils, furniture, personal items, bedding, drapes, toys, and clothing from dust. Remove them from the work area, or cover/bag them in heavy plastic and seal tightly. Cover carpets with heavy plastic and seal the edges with tape.

-Wear protective clothing, eye goggles and a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health/Mining Safety and Health Association (NIOSH/MSHA) approved respirator equipped with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cartridge. A paper mask will not protect you from lead dust or fumes.

-Tape a drop cloth or tarp to the base of the building and hold it down with something heavy. It should extend far enough out from the building to catch any falling debris. Cover vegetable gardens, outdoor furniture, and play areas with tarps or drop cloths. This will prevent lead from getting into the soil. Move or cover sandboxes, play equipment, and outdoor furniture.

-Close windows (including storms), doors, and vents so dust cannot enter the home. Cover them with plastic (6-mils) and seal the edges with tape if they are not airtight. Avoid working on windy days to prevent paint chips and debris from spreading into other areas.

-At the end of each day, wet wash all surfaces with a non-abrasive household cleaner in a spray bottle. Avoid cleaning with sponges, as lead dust can contaminate the sponge and be spread to other surfaces. Instead, use paper towels to wash surfaces and throw them away. Repeat the full cleanup 24 hours after all the work has been done. This gives dust time to settle.

-Do not use a broom or household or shop vacuum to clean up – these only spread lead dust around and worsen matters. However, a HEPA filtered vacuum can be used. To find out where you can rent a HEPA vacuum, call the Massachusetts Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 1-800-532-9571.

-If you have done the work yourself, change your work clothes and shoes before you leave the work site. The lead dust on the work clothes could be ingested by a child. Shower and wash your hair as soon as possible after you are done working. Wash your work clothes separately from other clothes.

For more information on safe lead-based paint removal, you should contact the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) at (800) 532-9571 or on the web at http://mass.gov/dph/clppp/clppp.htm. You can also call the Department of Labor at office at (617) 626-6975 or on the web at http://www.mass.gov/dos. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has an informative web site at http://www.epa.gov/lead. If you happen to witness any renovation projects that do not meet the approved guidelines, please notify the Board of Health office at 617-898-4886.