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Major Initiatives:
Your Kid's Health:
Can You Trust Your Paint and Pesticide Store?
I. Overall Performance Measures
IKE developed seven measures of quantitatively assess the performance of the retail stores that sell indoor pesticides and paint. These measures are described in more detail in section IV and V of this report. Briefly, the measures are as follows:
· Lead Hazards (100 points maximum)
o Initial Advice (25 points max.): The clerk’s initial advice was considered dangerous – and therefore unacceptable – if the clerk recommended dry sanding, dry scraping, or burning brittle, flaking paint in a house built in 1929. IKE assigned points based on the percentage of a chain’s clerks giving acceptable initial advice.
o Final Advice (25 points max.): IKE gave clerks giving dangerous advice a chance to correct their error by pointing out the lead warning statement on the lid of a paint can. The statement identified the danger of sanding and scraping old paint. IKE considered the final advice acceptable if the clerk either initially gave acceptable advice or changed the advice to become acceptable, IKE assigned points based on the percentage of a chain’s clerks giving acceptable final advice.
o EPA Pamphlet (25 points max.): IKE looked on the paint counter for the EPA “Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home”. EPA requires contractors, landlords, and property sellers to provide their clients with a copy of this pamphlet. Pursuant to an agreement with 50 state attorneys general, the paint manufacturers supply these pamphlets to stores at no cost. IKE assigned points based on the percentage of a chain’s stores providing a copy of the EPA pamphlet.
o LeadCheck™ Swabs (25 points max.): IKE looked for LeadCheck swabs or other lead detection kits in the store. These swabs or kits are the most practical means for customers to quickly determine whether they might have lead-based paint or lead hazards. Without these screening tools, customers are less likely to pay for a risk assessment or take proper precautions. IKE assigned points based on the percentage of a chain’s stores selling the swabs.
· Pesticide Hazards (100 points maximum)
o Quality Advice Given (34 points max.): IKE asked the clerk to recommend the best products to kill cockroaches. A clerk gave quality advice if the clerk recommended enclosed baits or gel baits. IKE assigned points based on the percentage of a chain’s clerks who gave advice that make the proper recommendations.
o Warning Signs (33 points max.): Indiana law requires stores to post a warning sign if the clerks give advice on the selection and use of pesticides. The warning sign informs the customers that it is the customer’s responsibility to read and follow label instructions. IKE assigned points based on the percentage of a chain’s stores that had a warning sign visible when clerks gave advice.
o Advice Illegally Given (33 points max.): Indiana law also requires that the store have a registered pesticide consultant for the store and that any clerks providing selection and use advice complete an approved training course. IKE asked clerks giving advice whether they were trained. IKE assigned points based on the percentage of chain’s stores that had a clerk give advice where a warning sign was posted and the clerk said he or she had been trained.