EPA Proposes Strengthening the Dust-Lead Hazard Standards to Reduce Exposures to Children
WASHINGTON (June 22, 2018) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposal to lower the dust-lead hazard standards for public comment. The new proposed standards for lead in dust for floors and window sills will be an important step to reduce lead exposure.
“Reducing childhood lead exposure is a top priority for EPA,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “Lead-contaminated dust from chipped and peeling lead-based paint is one of the most common causes of elevated blood lead levels in children. Strengthening the standards for lead in dust is an important component of EPA’s strategy to curtail childhood lead exposure.”
In today’s action, the Agency is proposing to change the dust-lead hazard standards from 40 µg/ft2 and 250 µg/ft2 to 10 µg/ft2 and 100 µg/ft2 on floors and window sills, respectively. These standards apply to most pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities, such as day care centers and kindergarten facilities. In addition, EPA is proposing to make no change to the definition of lead-based paint because the Agency currently lacks sufficient information to support such a change.
Upon publication of the Federal Register notice, EPA will accept comments on the proposed rule for 45 days in docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0166.
Background
Title IV of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requires EPA to establish hazard standards for lead-contaminated dust. Lead dust can be a major source of lead exposure in children. Lead dust can be generated when lead-based paint deteriorates or is disturbed (e.g., during renovation or repainting work).
In 2001, EPA set standards for lead in dust for floors and window sills in housing. Since 2001, the best available science has evolved to indicate human health effects at lower blood lead levels than previously analyzed.
During the same period, the number of children with elevated blood lead levels has continued to decline; the median blood lead level in children ages 1-5 years is now below 1µg/dL.
Reducing childhood lead exposure and addressing associated health impacts is a top priority for EPA. Lead exposure can cause a range of adverse health effects and is particularly dangerous for young children, because their nervous systems are still developing. Lead exposure continues to pose a significant health and safety threat to some children, preventing them from reaching the fullest potential of their health, their intellect, and their future.
Another Happy Flatley-Read Client! Congratulations Schuylerville!
For Immediate Release: May 18, 2018
Contact: Dan Carpenter, Mayor, Village of Schuylerville
dcarpenter@villageofschuylerville.org
SCHUYLERVILLE AWARDED NEW YORK MAIN STREET TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT
The Village of Schuylerville is proud to announce that it has been awarded a New York Main Street- Technical Assistance grant from the New York State Office of Community Renewal. The grant will examine the structural integrity and historical aesthetics of up to ten commercial/residential structures on Broad and Ferry Streets to provide a foundation for pursuing a cost-sharing grant to renovate downtown buildings in the next state funding cycle. The grant was written by Flatley Read, Inc. of Schuylerville, NY, at the direction of the Village of Schuylerville Board of Trustees.
“The village is excited to be awarded this New York Main Street TA grant. This is a great opportunity for Village officials to partner with business and community leaders to create a vision for the structures on Broad and Ferry streets.”
“The village would like to thank the business owners and community leaders who participated in our monthly meetings to help craft this proposal.”
“I am ready to get to work on this. We will begin by engaging with community members to create a long-term economic transformation through small, incremental projects. One step at a time, we will work together to support and grow locally-owned businesses, cultivate and develop entrepreneurship, and create an inclusive, and accessible community.”
Understanding Federal and State Guidelines for Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rules
By Michelle Read DeGarmo
It has been eight years since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented the Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rules, and it’s still a common occurrence to encounter contractors and housing professionals who are unclear on, or completely unaware of, how RRP rules apply to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or other federal funded projects. The most common issue is a misunderstanding about trained non-certified workers.
On a project that involves no federal funds, it is acceptable for a single RRP Certified contractor to train a crew of workers. These trained non-certified workers may perform lead safe work practices with minimal supervision as long as the worker has properly documented training and a Certified Renovator supervises them. However, once federal funding is involved HUD rules supersede the RRP rule alone and all workers must have RRP certification.
Free trainings aren’t as common as they used to be and often contractors find out they need RRP Certification at the 11th hour. Here at Flatley Read, most of our Initial classes are booked less than three days in advance – almost entirely by contractors who were just informed by a building inspector that they can’t start work without RRP Certification.
My advice to municipalities, contractors and landlords working with federal funding is to become familiar with the Residential Lead Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, or Title X, in addition to the RRP Rule. EPA and HUD have been partners on both regulations for over two decades, and Title X was essentially the beta version of RRP. Also remember that if you’re not currently in total compliance, it’s never too late to solve that problem. RRP classes are listed on the EPA website, and on our training calendar at https://flatleyreadllc.com/events.
Michelle Read DeGarmo, President of Flately Read,LLC, has been a HUD Program Administrator for 23 years, a lead based paint Risk Assessor for 18 years, an EPA Accredited RRP Trainer since 2010, and Vice Chair of the NYS Rural Housing Coalition. She also plays the ukulele.
Flatley Read Donation Matching For Swim For Life
Flatley Read is proud to announce our support for Susan Johnson as she swims in the Provincetown Harbor Swim For Life & Paddler Flotilla. We will match any donations up to $250. Please use the link below to donate, and shoot us an email at flatleyreadllc@gmail.com to let us know you did. It’s that easy. Make your philanthropy dollar go twice as far.
Click Here For More Info On The Provincetown Harbor Swim For Life & Paddler Flotilla