NAHB Petitions EPA to Delay Lead-Paint Work Regulations

Bringing up a need for several trainers and a more bolted certification process, inexact test kits and a lack of preparation on the part of the federal agency Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) nowadays petitioned Lisa P. Jackson, EPA Administrator to wait the Lead: Repair, Renovation and Painting (RRP) Program Rule.

The RRP rule, slated to turn effective April 22, requires all re-modelers and extra contractors working in homes constructed before 1978 to be conditioned and certified in lead-safe work practices and to apply those recitations in homes where small children aging six (6) or pregnant women live. EPA is also looking ways to amend the EPA RRP regulation so that it would implement to all pre-1978 homes.

“NAHB and its builder and remodeler members fully support with the goals of the rule, which is designed to protect children from the toxic effects of lead paint,” said CGR, CAPS, CGP, and President of Shirey Contracting in Issaquah, Wash, NAHB Remodelers Chairman Donna Shirey.

“Remodelers are working hard to get trained and certified under the EPA’s lead rule. But we continue to receive calls that they can’t find training and are waiting to hear back from the EPA on certification. It’s incredibly frustrating that despite our diligence, remodelers will be penalized after April 22 because of the EPA’s failure to plan,” NAHB Remodelers Chairman said.

The postulation elaborated 4 reasons why EPA should hold-up the rule under the “good cause” provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act.