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Overall Description of Deadline: Per 9/7/2012 Amended Settlement Agreement in National Assoc. of Homebuilders v. EPA

Statement of Need:

This rulemaking is being undertaken in response to a settlement agreement and is designed to help insure that individuals and firms conducting renovation, repair, and painting activities in and on public and commercial buildings will do so in a way that safeguards the environment and protects the health of building occupants and nearby residents, especially children under 6 years old. EPA has conducted several studies and reviewed additional information that indicates that the renovation of buildings containing lead-based paint can create health hazards in the form of lead-based paint dust under typical industry work practices.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

Section 402(c)(3) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requires EPA to regulate renovation or remodeling activities that create lead-based paint hazards in target housing, public buildings built before 1978, and commercial buildings.

Alternatives:

For those activities that EPA determines create lead-based paint hazards, EPA will evaluate options to address the hazards. These options are likely to include different combinations of work practices and worker training and certification.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

Not yet determined.  A detailed analysis of costs and benefits will be performed during development of the proposed rule.

Risks:

Lead is known to cause deleterious health effects on multiple organ systems through diverse mechanisms of action in both adults and children. This array of health effects includes effects on heme biosynthesis and related functions, neurological development and function, reproduction and physical development, kidney function, cardiovascular function, and immune function.  EPA is evaluating information on renovation activity patterns in public and commercial buildings to estimate exposures to lead dust from RRP activities in those buildings.