Lead Paint Laws Are Undergoing A Broadening of Regulation from the EPA November 1
Lead paint has been a source of concern since the EPA passed laws regulating its use and removal many years ago in 1978 and now it seems the EPA would like to broaden the area of regulation to further protect public health. In 2007 regulations were passed that asked contractors to wear and use special equipment in houses built before 1978 and keep pregnant women and small children from being exposed to the paint who lived in the home. The regulation demanded contractors to be trained and certified before they could remove paints that might be lead based.
Now the regulation is being expanded to include any home that was built before 1978 regardless of the age and condition of those who live in the home. The changes are likely to come through by April of next year. Lead exposure is a serious threat that can cause nervous system and brain disorders, hypertension and high blood pressure. Small children are at highest risk from exposure to the substance. The EPA hopes to further evaluate the risk of exposure from dust that contains the substance. They’ll also be talking with the Department of Housing and Urban Development about what defines lead based paint. Organizations like the National Center for Healthy Housing have petitioned the EPA to make such moves in the last few years citing the continued risk and health problems that continue to affect children despite the regulations. While the older regulations have helped they still don’t do enough to protect children from this harmful substance. The coming changes are related to improving that.
Tags: child safety, EPA, health safety, lead, paint