EPA Proposes Tougher Lead Paint Abatement Standards

Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposal to strengthen requirements for the removal of lead-based paint hazards in pre-1978 buildings and child care facilities to better protect children and communities from the harmful effects of exposure to dust generated from lead paint. If finalized, the new rule is estimated to reduce the annual lead exposures of approximately 250,000 to 500,000 children under the age of six.

The proposed rule would strengthen EPA’s regulations under section 402 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) by revising the dust-lead hazard standards (DLHS), which identify hazardous lead in dust on floors and window sills, and the dust-lead clearance levels (DLCL), the amount of lead that can remain in dust on floors, window sills, and window troughs after lead removal activities.

The proposal would reduce the DLHS from 10 micrograms per square foot (µg/ft²) for floors and 100 µg/ft² for window sills to any reportable level greater than zero in recognition of the fact that there is no level of lead in dust that has been found to be safe for children. It would lower the DLCL from 10 µg/ft² to 3 µg/ft² for floors, from 100 µg/ft² to 20 µg/ft² for window sills, and from 400 µg/ft² to 25 µg/ft² for window troughs, which are the lowest post-abatement dust-lead levels that EPA believes can be reliably and effectively achieved.

“Lead-based paints and dusts contaminated with lead are indeed some of the most common sources of lead exposure for children,” said Frank Selamie, President of CTSI. “Fortunately, testing for lead can identify exposure risks in and around buildings so they can be safely removed or mitigated. CTSI, with offices in New York and Florida that service clients nationwide, offers lead-based paint testing, consulting, and training services. Our EPA lead certified risk assessors and inspectors have successfully performed thousands of projects for landlords, facility managers, schools, universities, daycare centers, and other clients. These services comply with NYC Department of Health, HUD, and EPA guidelines to protect children, workers, and building occupants.”

To learn more about lead or other industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, environmental, health, and safety services, please visit www.ctsiweb.com, email contactus@ctsiweb.com , or call (212) 971-7016.

About CTSI
Established in 1992, Consulting & Testing Services, Inc. (CTSI) was founded on one strong commitment: to provide efficient and expert services to clients based on professionalism, innovation, and cost-effective solutions. This commitment has been furthered by CTSI’s reputation for fostering client relationships in all sectors of the Environmental Health, Safety, and Construction industries. CTSI prides itself in utilizing a high-quality service based on its diverse team of staff and professionals’ concise recommendations and solutions to the most pressing dilemmas. The company operates offices in New York and Florida that service clients across the United States.

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Paul Cochrane

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Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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