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Prepare Now to Meet EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Requirements

The EPA's new "Renovation, Repair, and Painting" program requires contractors who work in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities to be certified and to follow specific lead-safe work practices by April 2010.  The agency recently announced that it has begun to review and accredit training providers to conduct the courses that contractors covered by the lead rules are required to complete.  Such contractors should start planning now in order to meet the upcoming compliance dates; EPA expects training opportunities to begin in summer 2009.  Until that time, EPA recommends that anyone performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools follow lead-safe work practices.  For example, all contractors should: contain the work area, minimize dust and clean up thoroughly. For additional information, visit EPA's Web site at http://epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm.  In the coming months, EPA will also post a list of accredited trainers on its Web site.  You can also call the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) at 1(800) 424-LEAD [5323] to find out more. For more information, click here or contact Leah Pilconis at pilconisl@agc.org or (703) 837-5332.