Rules on lead are slow to spread

On April 22 , the Environmental Protection Agency implemented new rules for renovations of homes built before 1978. The rule is called RRP, which stands for “renovate, repair, and paint.”

The RRP rule is arguably the most sweeping intrusion of the federal government into the home repair and renovation industry in the history of our nation.

In a nutshell, the RRP rule makes it a federal crime to disturb more than 6 square feet of painted surface in any room, or to disturb more than 20 square feet of painted surface on a home’s exterior, unless certain lead-safe practices are employed. The rule applies only to homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978, because the use of lead in paint was outlawed in the U.S. that year.

The whole idea is to minimize and contain dust and debris which might contain even a small amount of lead. Studies have shown that even a minute amount of lead dust can contaminate a whole house, putting pregnant women and children under age 6 at high risk for a variety of serious health problems, including miscarriage, low birth weight, learning disorders and excessive fatigue.

While the problem is real, and the goal of reducing hazardous lead dust is admirable, many have felt that the EPA’s implementation of the rule was handled poorly. The truth is that most contractors and painters know nothing of the new requirement, even though federal penalties can reach $32,500 per day and a sentence of up to five years in federal prison. The word of the new rules has not gotten out to those who need it.

As a result, the EPA last week yielded to pressure from home builders and members of Congress, agreeing to delay enforcement of the RRP rule so that contractors and painters will have more time to get certified.

Contractors now must sign up for training by Sept. 30, and complete their training by the end of the year.