Comments on: EPA Removes Opt-Out in Lead Renovation Rule

By: RenovatingDeb

RenovatingDeb — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 23:02:23 +0000

Although Senator Inhofe has succeeded in achieving a much needed delay of enforcement of the EPA lead paint rule, proposed is an even more onerous addition to the Renovator Rule. If enacted, the latest EPA revision will require laboratory dust clearance for even many small jobs, at a cost of hundreds of dollars per job. The testing could often cost more than the job itself.

The proposal also makes it illegal to use most of the HEPA vacs recently purchased for this purpose

A more complete analysis of the revision is posted at http://www.renovatorrules.com The EPA comment period ends July 6th. If you have concerns let the EPA, your US Senator and Congressmen know how you feel.

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 22 May 2010 19:23:36 +0000

There are too many problems arising becasue of this law. It is important to keep people safe, but the law needs to be taken apart and revamped so that the construction industry, one of the few industries still in existence in this country, is not torn apart. The opt out provision should still be in effect, but homeowners should be made aware of the dangers and should be given information on how to protect themselves and their families from the possibility of lead contamination. As someone certified in lead renovation, I believe that being safe is important, but some facets of the law go too far. As usual the government is one step out of sync since the proper kits are not available until late 2010. Those that are currently EPA approved have to be ordered. The government’s estimate of the cost to the renovator is not even close. Until this law is corrected, it should be put on the back burner. It has been 32 years since lead-based paint was used. People have lived in and renovated these houses during all of that time. A little more time to get the bill corrected needs to be taken.

By: M. Walsh

M. Walsh — Sun, 16 May 2010 16:52:04 +0000

Another well intentioned crusade gone off the track. A little resarch will show you that the groups applying pressure and responsible for the passage and the opt out going away are based in New
York and San Francisco. Initially this law was written to address pre 1960 housing where 90 % of the lead paint was used. These groups got their way without any of their demands being tempered.. You’re tauught in the rrp class that the most dangerous lead contamination will be found in the window troughs. I will speculate that in 1970′s florida homes there is no lead in the aluminum window troughs. The rrp class will also tell you that 1 micro gram will kill you. There certainly should be a lot more dead and dying renovation contractors arouynd than I have seen! Can anyone research and find out how many lead related illnesses have been documented where only 1970 housing was involved? I’ve seen US geological survey docs showing only 1.2% of all lead paint was used 1970-1979. Blood level tests barely make it into the range of concern.This whole thing has become skewed and economically cumbersome compared to what it was originally supposed to accomplish.
I feel that the data needs to be challenged and the law amended to reality. Can we get organized? will someone read this who can initiate a viable protest? Has the WDMA and others even considered challenging this all or nothing procedure? The problem is a diminishing one anyway due to aging housing stock being replaced.

By: danny

danny — Thu, 13 May 2010 21:20:49 +0000

The epa’s federal registry is stating that the new opt out rule which has been eliminated begins on 7/6/10.
How about the epa controlling the oil spill instead of putting people on the unemployment line! Big oil companies drilling for hundreds of years and never having a solid backup plan for a catasrophie like this and get away with it.Great job EPA.As long as the lead paint in contained,Thats the real problem,not billions of gallons of oil tn the gulf.

By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 05 May 2010 18:44:41 +0000

This is another example of a paper pushing burocrate who has never lived in a pre-1978 home or who has never strapped on a tool belt and worked for a living making a decision that will ultimantely destroy an entire segment of industry and will also render a home built before 1978 as worthless. Let’s take a fundamental look at the economic impact of this decision how many carpenters,electricians,plumbers,painters hvac techs are out of work since the collapse of the new construction housing industry, where did they all go? What was their only hope? You guessed it the remodeling industry. This is another example of government red tape stiffiling the American spirit. Oh well I guess let’s borrow some more money from the chinese so we can pay billions in unemployment, destroy what was left of the tax base and bankrupt even more business. Oh did I mention that I have already taken the lead certification course and would you like to know a few tid bits of information. Question #1 Where does all the 6 mill plastic go when the renovation project is over? You guessed it to a land fill to be burried or burnt, wow! that makes alot of sense, do you realize how long it take’s plastic to decompose? Or what burning plastic does to the Ozone! Question#2 How do you test for lead? According to my instructor you are supposed to cut a knotch in the sash of a wood window and use an EPA approved test strip which will change color when it detects lead! Guess what, there are no EPA approved test strips thats right they have implemented a law in which there is no way you can be in compliance. Oh did I mention that the test strip can not detect lead paint on stucco or drywall. How do you test a home which has aluminum windows?
It is obvious that most contractor’s have no idea what our government has done to us. Wait until the home owners of pre 1978 built home catch wind of how much their remodel projects are going to cost them.
Last but not least do you remember when you had to take your car to a testing station for emissions? What ever happened to a those testing stations?

By: danny

danny — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:09:48 +0000

COME ON,LETS FACE IT,IT ALL ABOUT THE MONEY.THIS LAW WAY CONSTRUCTED TO THE POINT WHERE THE GOVERMENT ALMOST WANTS YOU TO FAIL.ITS ALMOST LIKE TRYING TO PUT IN A WINDOW WITH HANDCUFFS ON,AS IF WE WERE ARRESTED.ITS EXPENSIVE,AND IN ALOT OF CASES VERY DANGEROUS TO PERFORM THE NEEDED ACTIVITIES DURING A RENOVATION.TRY WALKING DOWN A FLIGHT OF PLASTIC LINED STAIRS WITH SASHES IN YOUR HANDS AND PAPER BOOTIES ON YOUR FEET! WHAT DO BIG LAWYERS KNOW ABOUT WHAT GOES ON IN A WORK SITE.LET SOMEONE WHO KNOWS THE BUISNESS WRITE THE LAWS,THAT WAY IT WOULD BE FAIR FOR BOTH SIDES.I DON’T MIND DOING THE RIGHT THING,BUT THIS LAW IS JUST TOO ONE SIDED.IT’S TOUGH TO FACE WHEN YOU STRUGGLED TO KEEP A BUISNESS FOR 35 YEARS AND NOW THE BIGGIES DON’T CARE IF YOU KEEP IT.I HAVE A FAMILY TO SUPPORT AS MUCH AS THE GOVERMENT EMPLOYED PEOPLE DO.THE OPT OUT WOULD HAVE MADE MATTERS A LITTLE BIT EASIER TO FUNCTION,BUT APPARENTLEY THATS BEEN ELIMINATED.THE SMALL GUY ALWAYS TAKES THE HIT.WEATHER IT BE,TAXES,COMP,ETC.ITS JUST VERY HARD TO GET BY.THATS WHY I WORK ALONE.COULD I USE HELP…YES,BUT I CANT AFFORD IT.NOW FORGET ABOUT IT.I’M LUCKY IF I STAY IN BUISNESS WITH THE EXTRA EXPENSE FOR MYSELF AND THE POSSIBLE CUSTOMER.WHAT REALLY BOTHERS ME IS THE DOUBLE STANDARD.ASK WHAT KIND OF PAINT IS BEING USED TO PAINT FEDERAL BRIDGES,TUNNELS AND LINES IN THE ROADWAYS THAT KIDS TRACK INTO THEIR HOMES WHEN THEY CROSS? YOU GUEST IT! VERY DISSAPOINTING AS AN AMERICAN,ESPESIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN A LAW ABIDDING CITEZEN FOR 54 YEARS AND WITHOUT CARE GET SLAPPED IN THE FACE.NOT FAIR.

By: OSHA: EPA RRP training

OSHA: EPA RRP training — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:30:32 +0000

The dangers of lead paint have been studied by several White House administrations. In 1992, Congress passed the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act, which required owners to disclose to buyers and tenants the existence of lead paint in pre-1978 homes. In 2001, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development warned that renovations to older homes can expose occupants to lead-paint dangers, and in April 2008 the EPA issued the current rules.

By: Jody Werner

Jody Werner — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:57:30 +0000

What about senior citizens in houses built before 1978, who have been counting on selling their house to use the proceeds for their old age? How can they afford to remove the lead from their house, even if it is minimal? And how can they ever sell their house if it is deemed to have lead hazards?

Millions of older homes in the U.S. will be like lepers that can never be cured! And the present owners will be like prisoners in their virtually worthless houses! I can see whole blocks of houses falling into disrepair, and if there are older residents, they can never move to the senior housing they had hoped for in their advanced years.

This is the situation we personally are in, and we are terrified. Just one of the millions of “unintended” consequences of this overreaching, arrogant, self-righteous government!

These among the multitudes of edicts, mandates, laws, and regulations that should be repealed and revoked!

By: ray reising

ray reising — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 22:07:57 +0000

this will only depress an already depressed market. Most homeowners will just find someone who is non compliant and get the work done cheaper. Great job EPA

By: Tom Balestrieri

Tom Balestrieri — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 21:04:14 +0000

The whole thing is crazy. Big brother strikes again cause he knows whats good for us. Try explaining to a homeowner the added cost for following these rules. Tell them they are not allowed in parts of thier home you are working in. They just look at you and tell you they will leave when they are done doing what ever it is they are doing.
If anyone thinks that this will only add approx. $7 to $35 per job as the EPA said Go try doing a job and find out. Why not let them OPT -Out Its their home and if they can remove their own Lead why not have a OPT OUT clause. I already have people telling me they will do the demo and have me do the work. I guess it’s alright to infect your own. How do they know where these kids got there lead from. How many got sick after work was done on thier homes. Wheres the DATA . I would like to see an Honest break down of how and why these kids got Lead poisoning. Not some feel good law. Thanks MS. Boxer. Did you do your Homework