NCHH:EPA Renovation Rule

EPA's Proposed Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule

Click here to read the most up-to-date information on the Lead; Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program

The National Center for Healthy Housing has submitted comments on the proposed rule on clearance, dangerous work practices, carpets, and other matters. We hope you will find our focus on the scientific evidence helpful and informative.

National Health & Housing Groups Urge EPA to Issue Long Overdue Regulation to Protect Children From Lead Poisoning - Call on EPA to Ensure Safe Renovations. Click here to read the media release
National organizations call upon EPA to immediately finalize Renovation, Remodeling, and Repainting Rule. Click here to read letter to administrator Johnson.
NCHH and the Alliance for Healthy Homes submit comments on two new studies related to the Renovation, Remodeling, and Repainting Rule. Click here to read their comments.
The first comment, which addresses the issue of clearance, was submitted on March 16, 2006. Click here for a pdf version on clearance.
The second comment, which addresses the issue of dangerous work practices, was submitted on March 24, 2006. Click here for a pdf version on dangerous work practices.
The third comment, which address the issue of clearance for carpets was submitted on March 31. Click here for a pdf version of clearance for carpeting.
The fourth comment, which addresses EPA's Economic Analysis, was submitted on April 24, 2006. Click here for a pdf version on EPA's Economic Analysis.
The fifth comment, which addresses EPA's Lead, Renovation, Repair and Painting Program, was submitted on July 5, 2007. Click here for a pdf version of the comments. Click here for a Word (.doc) version of the comments.

Background:

In the January 10, 2006 Federal Register (71 FR 1588) EPA proposed requirements to minimize the introduction of lead hazards resulting from the disturbance of lead-based paint during renovation, repair, and painting activities in most housing built before 1978. EPA states that the proposal introduces lead training, certification, and safe work practice requirements for contractors involved in these activities. It sees the rule, when finalized, as one component of a comprehensive program to ensure the use of lead-safe work practices that will also include training and an education and outreach campaign targeted at both workers and consumers. EPA believes this new program will further its goal to eliminate childhood lead poisonings as a major public health concern by the year 2010. NCHH is advocating for the timely finalization of the rule.

EPA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking on June 5, 2007 to require lead-safe work practices and worker training and certification for contractors and construction professionals conducting renovation activities in child-occupied facilities. The Agency's decision to extend the requirements to child-care centers, preschools, and kindergarten classrooms is response to pleas from lead poisoning prevention and child advocates across the US, including numerous individuals and organizations who submitted comments and testimony to EPA, as well as sustained advocacy by Senators Barack Obama and Barbara Boxer and Representative Henry Waxman. Comments on this proposal were due July 5, 2007.

This action supplements the proposed rule for renovations in pre-1978 housing, for which EPA is still deliberating on comments, studies, and other input. Under the earlier proposal, lead-safe work practices would be required in child care programs within pre-1978 rental housing and, where a child under six is an occupant, pre-1978 owner-occupied housing. The document that EPA has released today contains the previously proposed rule, with edits that incorporate provisions to cover all other child-occupied facilities including those in commercial and public buildings and in pre-1978 owner-occupied housing where no child under six resides. EPA's full announcement is at http://www.epa.gov/lead/new.htm

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