Operative Text
A. open-flame burning or torching; B. heat guns operating at more than 700 degrees Fahrenheit; C. chemical strippers containing methylene chloride; D. all powered-machine methods unless the resulting dust is immediately captured by HEPA filters; E. dry scraping, dry sanding, and dry wire brushing, except for removing deteriorated paint around electrical outlets, electrical fixtures, or other areas totaling no more than: (1) two square feet in any one room; (2) 20 square feet on exterior surfaces; or (3) ten percent of the surface area on trim around doors and windows or other small building components; F. dry sweeping; G. dry vacuuming, unless a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter that is specifically designated for hazardous materials is used; and H. wet/dry vacuum cleaners used for any purpose other than to collect wash and rinse water during lead hazard reduction within a containment.
Minnesota Rule 4761, Section 4761.2620 establishes a list of work methods that are prohibited when performing lead hazard reduction activities. These banned practices include open-flame burning, high-heat guns, methylene chloride chemical strippers, unfiltered powered machinery, most forms of dry scraping or sanding, dry sweeping, and standard dry vacuuming. Certain exceptions exist for small, limited areas—such as no more than two square feet in a single room or 20 square feet on exterior surfaces—where dry methods may be used near electrical components. The rule is designed to prevent the spread of lead-contaminated dust and debris during renovation or remediation work.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers overseeing lead hazard reduction work covered by Minn. R. 4761 § 4761.2620 generally ensure that contractors and workers use only compliant methods throughout the project. Compliant operators verify that any powered machinery is equipped with HEPA filtration to capture dust immediately, that only HEPA-rated vacuums designated for hazardous materials are used, and that wet/dry vacuums are restricted to collecting wash and rinse water within a containment area. Where dry scraping or similar methods are used near electrical outlets or fixtures, operators confirm the affected area falls within the narrow square-footage thresholds permitted under the rule before work begins.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in units where lead hazard reduction work is being performed have an interest in knowing that Minn. R. 4761 § 4761.2620 prohibits a range of dust-generating and flame-based methods that could spread lead contamination. If a tenant observes workers using open flames, unfiltered power tools, dry sweeping, or other banned practices during remediation, that may indicate a violation of this rule. Tenants can document what they observe, contact the Minnesota Department of Health or a local housing authority to report potential violations, or reach out to a tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 30, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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