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EPA extends deadline for lead paint training
The decision gives firms more time to file needed paperwork to demonstrate they are following lead-safe work practices.
Mon, Jun 21 2010 at 5:37 PM
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SAFETY: The rule will require contractors to take additional precautions when renovating houses where children could be exposed to lead dust. (Photo: jupiterimages)
Home improvement contractors will have more time to meet new federal requirements for dealing with lead paint.
The Environmental Protection Agency said Monday it will delay until Oct. 1 enforcement of a rule requiring contractors to take additional precautions when renovating houses where children could be exposed to lead dust from old paint.
The delay comes amid a storm of complaints from industry groups and congressional Republicans, who said the government has not provided enough trainers to help contractors meet an April deadline.
The EPA rule requires contractors to use "lead-safe" practices when working on homes, day-care centers and schools built before 1978, the year lead paint was banned for residential use because of health risks.
The delay allows contractors to sign up for training by Sept. 30. Training must be completed by Dec. 31.
The EPA said in a statement that it remains committed to protecting children and families from the dangers of lead poisoning, adding that "EPA can and will take enforcement action when contractors violate those work practices."
The decision simply gives firms more time to file needed paperwork to demonstrate they are following lead-safe work practices, as well as more time for contractors to enroll in and complete the required training courses, said EPA spokesman Brendan Gilfillan.
Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, senior Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, hailed the delay.
"We won," Inhofe said, referring to industry groups and lawmakers who had pushed the EPA to back off its earlier deadline for enforcement of the rule.
Inhofe said he supports the lead paint rule, but he called the EPA's handling of the issue a "disaster."
The National Association of Home Builders said the delay will give contractors and remodelers much-needed time to get the training to meet the stricter requirements.
"EPA listened to our concerns and did the right thing," said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones, a builder and developer in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
Copyright 2010 AP News
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RenovatingDeb
Jun 27 2010 at 12:47 AM
Although Senator Inhofe has succeeded in achieving a much needed delay of enforcement of the EPA lead paint rule, proposed is an even more onerous addition to the Renovator Rule. If enacted, the latest EPA revision will require laboratory dust clearance for even many small jobs, at a cost of hundreds of dollars per job. The testing could often cost more than the job itself.
The proposal also makes it illegal to use most of the HEPA vacs recently purchased for this purpose
A more complete analysis
.... More
of the revision is posted at http://www.renovatorrules.com The EPA comment period ends July 6th. If you have concerns let the EPA, your US Senator and Congressmen know how you feel.
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