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Note to Correspondents
FOR RELEASE: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 1994
To reduce Americans' exposure to lead during hone
renovations, EPA has proposed regulations that would require home
renovators to provide an EPA pamphlet on the dangers of lead-
based paint to owners and occupants of most pre-1978 housing
before beginning renovations. The proposal would cover all
housing built before 1978 with the exception of dwellings with no
bedrooms (such as studios and efficiencies), housing reserved for
the elderly and housing for handicapped persons above the age of
six. Human exposure to lead may cause learning disabilities in
children and hypertension and miscarriages in adults.
The regulations have been proposed under section 406 b of
the TSCA.
Activities like scraping, sanding, or using a heat gun on
surfaces that contain lead-based paint can release large amounts
of lead dust and fumes, creating a health hazard for housing
occupants. Lead dust from renovations can remain in the home
long after the work is completed.
There will be a 60-day comment period on the proposed rule
and pamphlet. Submit three copies of all written copies to TSCA
Document Receipts (7407), Room G-009, Environmental Protection
Agency, 401 H St. S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460. Comments on the
proposed rule should be identified by docket number OPPTS-62131.
Comments on the proposed pamphlet should be provided separately
and should be identified by docket number OPPTS-62133. To
receive a copy of the proposed rule or draft pamphlet, contact
the National Lead Information Clearinghouse at 800-242-LEAD. A.
fact sheet is attached. For more information contact Gwendolyn
Brown at 202-260-1384.
John Rasper, Director
R-50 Press Relations Division
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United States Office of Prevention.
Environmental Protection Pesticides, and Toxic Substances EPA745-F-94-003 '
Agency Washington DC 20460 March 1994
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
Environmental
Fact Sheet
JEPA Proposes To Require Distribution of
Pamphlet on Lead Before Renovations
BACKGROUND:
In 1992, in an effort to protect families from exposure to the hazards of lead-based paint,
Congress amended the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to add Title IV, entitled
Lead Exposure Reduction. Title IV of TSCA directs EPA to address the general public's
risk of exposure to lead-based paint hazards through regulations, education, and other
activities. One particular concern of Congress and EPA is the potential lead exposure
risks that can occur during renovations of housing containing lead-based paint unless
certain safety measures are taken.
Exposure to lead can produce cause health problems ranging from delays in neurological
and physical development, to nervous and reproductive system disorders. Acute
exposures to lead can cause blindness, coma, and even death. Children under 6 years of
age are especially at risk from exposure to lead. In 1991, the Secretary of the
Department of Health and Human Services characterized lead poisoning as "the number
one environmental health threat to the health of children in the United States."
Recognizing that many families might be unaware that their homes might contain lead-
based paint, section 406(a) of TSCA directs EPA to publish, after notice and comment, a
lead hazard information pamphlet providing comprehensive information to the general
public on lead-based paint in housing, the risks of exposure, and the precautions for
avoiding exposure. Section 406(b) of the law directs EPA to issue regulations requiring
that renovators distribute the pamphlet to owners and occupants of most pre-1978
residential housing before beginning renovations (1978 is the year that lead-based paint
was banned from residential use).
ACTION:
EPA has proposed regulations that would require renovators to provide an EPA
pamphlet, entitled Lead-Based Paint: Protect Your Family, to owners and occupants of
most pre-1978 housing before beginning renovations. The housing covered would
include all housing built before 1978 with the exception of 0-bedroom dwellings, housing
for reserved for the elderly, and housing for handicapped persons above the age of 6.
EPA's proposal would provide flexibility for renovations conducted in common areas
(like stairways, lobbies, and hallways) of buildings containing several housing units.
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In a separate notice, EPA has announced the availability of its draft lead hazard
information pamphlet for public review. The notice also includes a discussion of the
statutory content requirements for the pamphlet and areas where the Agency has
requested public comment.
MESSAGE:
People have sometimes created a health hazard for their families without realizing it by
disturbing surfaces containing lead-based paint during housing renovations. Activities
like scraping, sanding, or using a heat gun on surfaces that contain lead-based paint can
release large amounts of lead dust and fumes. Lead dust from renovations can remain
in the home long after the work is completed.
EPA is proposing this rule to ensure that families are fully aware of the importance of
preventative measures to protect housing occupants before beginning renovations in
housing that may contain lead-based paint.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
For general information on lead and lead-based paint hazards, the general public can
call EPA's Lead Hotline, toll-free, at (800) LEAD-FYI. To receive a copy of the
proposed rule or draft pamphlet, please contact the National Lead Information Clearing
House, toll-free, at 800-424-LEAD.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
EPA has established a 60-day period for the public to provide comments on the
proposed rule and/or pamphlet. Submit three copies of all written copies to TSCA
Document Receipts (7407), Rm. G-099, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics,
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. Comments
on the proposed rule should be identified by the docket number OPPTS-62131.
Comments on the proposed pamphlet should be provided separately, and should be
identified by the docket number OPPTS-62133.
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