New Lead Rules
EPA sends contractors to schoolBy LYDIA COTTRELL lcottrell@timesobserver.com
A new Environmental Protection Agency requirement will have contractors hitting the books - and ponying up some cash.
Beginning April 22, the EPA's Lead-based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting rule (RRP) requires contractors to be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.
EPA spokesperson Donna Heron said, "This applies to any contractor that is working in a home pre-1978 or any place where children are on a regular basis, like a daycare or school."
Certification is required if six square feet or more of a painted surface inside the home is going to be disturbed or 20 square feet or more on the outside.
"If some minor little touch-up was going to be done then that wouldn't be a part of this rule," Heron explained.
Alan Gustafson, code enforcement officer for the City of Warren, recently learned about the upcoming requirement.
"Since we are not involved in the enforcement, we are not going to do much about it," he said, adding that he would consider putting up a poster to alert homeowners to the rule.
For contractors like Troy McFate, owner of Rightway Builders, the added requirement is just another must-do in a long list to stay in business.
"It's all a part of doing business," he said.
The reasoning behind the rule and subsequent training requirement comes down to one thing: the safety of children.
"The reason why the EPA is doing this is to protect the children," Heron said.
Heron said in any building where construction pre-dates 1978, "you kind of have to assume there is lead paint" under existing layers of paint.
Removing paint, sanding, even replacing a window can cause dust from lead-based paint to contaminate the surrounding area.
Lead is especially dangerous to children under six years old, causing reduced IQ scores, learning disabilities and behavioral problems, according to information provided by the EPA.
For contractors, certification and training come at a price.
According to Heron, there are two types of costs to meet the requirement of the RRP. First, the company or firm must submit an application to the EPA with a fee of $300.
"The firm is promising they will only hire certified renovators and will follow safe work practices," she said.
Then, the renovators working within that company would need to take an eight-hour training course at an EPA-accredited testing site. In Pennsylvania, there are five such sites; the nearest one to Warren is in Duquesne, near Pittsburgh, and quoted a testing cost of $250.
"The only downside is for the sole proprietor who will have to pay the application fee and testing fee," Heron said, adding that the certification will be good for five years.
In terms of the enforcement of the RRP, Heron said random inspections could be done on firms registered with the EPA.
"We do get a lot of tips from people," she added.
Failure to comply with the RRP could result in fines.
Until the commencement date of April 22, Heron cautioned people when hiring a contractor, indicating that the renovators need to follow the common practices of containing the work area, minimizing dust and thorough clean-up afterwards to prevent lead contamination.
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JackOneal
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03-10-10 1:52 PM
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"After April 22, 2010, the EPA, or state agency enforcing the regulations, can fine a contractor $37,500 per infraction, per day. The new rules also render contractors vulnerable to the threat of a civil suit for noncompliance." Mr Rendell, I think we found a way to balance the budget!!
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Clark
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03-10-10 12:09 PM
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Just remember, this is the same government that wants to run the nations healthcare. Think about it.
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justobserving
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03-10-10 11:49 AM
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Amen writer10.
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writer10
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03-10-10 9:14 AM
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I beg you government to take control of anything and everything and if you need extra money to cover each new item you try to control, just take it from my pay check.
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