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*. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency	19-P-0302
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\ Office of Inspector General
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At a Glance
Why We Did This Project
The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) Office
of Inspector General (OIG)
conducted this audit to
determine whether the EPA
has an effective strategy to
implement and enforce the
lead-based paint rule.
The EPA's Lead Renovation,
Repair and Painting (RRP)
Rule is intended to protect the
public by addressing hazards
associated with renovation,
repair and painting activities
that disturb lead-based paint in
specific housing and child-
occupied facilities. Lead-based
paint was used in an estimated
38 million homes prior to its
ban for residential use in 1978.
Renovation, repair and painting
activities that disturb lead-
based paint can create
hazardous exposures to lead.
In children, exposure to lead
can cause health problems,
including the potential for
slower growth, lower IQ and
behavioral problems.
This report addresses the
following:
• Ensuring the safety of
chemicals.
Address inquiries to our public
affairs office at (202) 566-2391 or
OIG WEBPOSTINGS@epa.gov.
EPA Not Effectively Implementing the Lead-Based
Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule
What We Found
The EPA does not have an effective strategy to
implement and enforce the lead-based paint rule.
Specifically:
Effective oversight and
enforcement are
needed to further
reduce lead exposures
from renovation, repair
and painting activities.
•	The EPA does not have sufficient controls to
assess RRP program effectiveness and
progress toward goals. The agency does not
review regional targeting strategies, track RRP resources and outreach
activities, review inspections, or evaluate progress toward reducing
disparities in blood lead levels among children.
•	There is insufficient coordination and communication between the two EPA
program offices primarily responsible for the RRP program—the Office of
Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention and the Office of Enforcement
and Compliance Assurance.
•	EPA regions could benefit from sharing regionally developed tools, ideas
and approaches.
The issues noted above occurred because program guidance does not
sufficiently define RRP program objectives, goals and measurable outcomes to
track progress and determine accountability.
Without an effective strategy for the RRP program, the EPA cannot determine
whether the program is achieving its intended purpose to protect the public,
particularly related to specific housing and child-occupied facilities.
Recommendations and Agency Response
We recommend that the EPA identify the regulated universe for the RRP
program; update current program guidance; establish management oversight
controls as well as objectives, goals and measurable outcomes; and establish a
forum to share best practices and innovations. We consider two of our six
recommendations resolved with corrective actions pending, while four
recommendations are unresolved.
List of OIG reports.

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