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US EPA set to implement New Lead-Safe Rule

Release Date: 04/9/2010
Contact Information: https://www.epa.gov/Region9/contact_press.html

125,000 trained in lead-safe practices nationally


The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced it expects more than
125,000 renovation and remodeling contractors to be trained in lead-safe work practices by
April 22, the effective date for a rule requiring such training. The agency is on target to
implement the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, which will protect millions of
children from lead poisoning, on April 22, 2010.

Anyone receiving compensation for renovating, repairing and painting work in residences
built before 1978 that disturbs painted surfaces is subject to the new Renovation, Repair
and Painting Rule (RRP). Also affected by the RRP are those performing similar work on
facilities occupied by children under six years of age, such as schools and day-care centers
built prior to 1978.

“These lead-safe renovation practices, which protect children, adults and workers from lead-based paint dust and chips, will reduce incidences of lead poisoning,” said Katherine Taylor, Associate Director of EPA Region 9’s Communities and Ecosystems Division. “We have been working diligently to make sure the public and regulated community are aware of the rule and its impact."


Despite nearly 30 years of effort to reduce childhood lead exposures, a million American
children are still poisoned by lead paint each year, putting them at risk for a wide range of
health impacts, including lowered IQ and behavioral disorders. Some of that poisoning is a
result of dust contaminated by old lead paint that is stirred up during remodeling activities.

There are simple steps contractors can take during such renovations to minimize exposures
to lead paint. To ensure contractors were following such procedures, the EPA finalized the
Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (LRRP) rule in 2008. The rule requires
Contractors to become trained and certified as lead-safe by EPA. Individuals take an
eight-hour training course offered by private training providers to become a certified
renovator. The certification is valid for five years.

In EPA Region 9, which includes the states of California, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii, more than 14,475 individuals and firms in the construction and remodeling industries have been trained for lead-safe work practices. Eighteen firms have been authorized to train and certify workers, in 27 locations.

EPA has a number of efforts under way to expedite the training and certification process. Included are a print and radio campaign to highlight the benefits of hiring lead-safe certified firms. As a result, it is expected that training capacity will continue to increase significantly as the April 22 deadline approaches. It is likely that many more contractors and renovators will seek and obtain training after the
deadline.

To locate EPA-accredited RRP training providers in Region 9, use the
following website: http//:www.epa.gov/region09/lead
Information on firm certification: http//:www.epa.gov/getleadsafe
More information on EPA’s lead program: http//:www.epa.gov/lead