Future Environment Designs Sponsors Public Outreach Lead Video

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Future Environment Designs is proud to sponsor this Public Outreach Video on Lead and Lead Based Paint. The video was designed to help the public have a better understanding of the dangers regarding Lead and Lead Based Paint issue. We hope you enjoy it and it assists you better understand lead and lead based paint.

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EPA Region 2 Coordinator Discusses the RRP Rule

Image via WikipediaOn Friday, April 1, 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 2 Renovation, Repair , and Painting (RRP) Rule Coordinator Ms. Jeanette Dadusc was discussing the requirements and background of the rule. The topics covered included: introduction to the problem of childhood lead poisoning; Federal government’s response to childhood lead poisoning; how the RRP Rule was developed; the regulated universe of RRP facilities and activities; certification requirements for training providers, individuals, and firms; notification and work practice requirements; cleaning verification card; proposed rule changes; RRP frequent questions; and RRP enforcement strategy.

Her presentation was wide ranging, covered the full time of the presentation, and the handouts supplemented her presentation and were useful. Visit our website at http://futureenvironmentdesigns.com/news.html to find a copy of her handouts.  Some of the points regarding the childhood lead problem were:

• Lead based paint is the number one environmental health threat to children
• Children absorb 50% of the lead they ingest compared to adults, which absorb only 10%.
• According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there is no known safe level of lead in blood.
• Discussions are ongoing regarding dropping the standard of lead blood level to 5 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dl) versus the current 10 ug/dl.
• Lead bioaccumulates in the body because it mimics calcium
• Children, who live in homes where renovation & remodeling activities were performed within the past year, are 30% more likely to have a blood lead level that equals or exceeds 10 ug/dl.

Some of the points regarding regulated universe of RRP facilities and activities were:

• Target housing is defined as housing constructed prior to 1978.  There are only 2 exceptions housing for the elderly or for person with disabilities (unless one or more children under 6 years old resides or is expected to reside in such housing), and 0-bedroom dwellings. Meaning hotels, motels, timeshares, and student housing is not exempt.
• Child Occupied Facility (COF) is defined as a building or portion of a building built prior to 1978 that is visited by the same child under age six for at least 3 hours per day, or at least 6 hours per week, or at least 60 hours per year. This includes common areas routinely used by the children under age 6 (i.e, restrooms, cafeterias), and adjacent exterior areas.

Other major points she covered were:

• Delead test kit added to the list of EPA approved test kits. The test kits must be used according to the manufacturer’s directions including materials that the test kits cannot be used on.
• Lead Based Paint Abatement Contractors require RRP Renovator Certification. Previous certification as a worker/supervisor allows the person to take the ½ day refresher class to become a renovator.
• Lead Waste – residential (homeowners & contractors) can dispose of lead waste bags with household waste. COFs must follow the hazardous waste regulations.

Related articles

• Hofstra is Hosting an Information Session on EPA's Lead RRP Law. (futureenv.blogspot.com)
• EPA's Local Coordinator for the Lead Paint Rule at Hofstra University (futureenv.blogspot.com)
• EPA / Mass DOS Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Safe Practices (unitedallianceservices.typepad.com)
• Restoration & Remediation Magazine - The RRP Rule: One Year Later (futureenv.blogspot.com)
• Girlfriends Talking: Lead Renovations in Older Homes (epa.gov)

Could NYS Be Promulgating Lead and Mold Regulations in 2011.

 

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Brains of Adults Who Were Exposed to Lead as Children

A recent legislative/regulatory report for New York State by the American Industrial Hygiene Association's (AIHA) Government Affairs Department indicates legislative/regulatory activity on mold, lead based paint, and even asbestos.  The Person Engaged in Commercial Mold Remediation legislation is currently being reviewed in the Assembly's Committee on Environmental Conservation, while the Childhood Lead Poisoning Primary Prevention and Safe Housing Act is being reviewed in the Assembly's Health Committee. Indications are that both legislation will require licensing and/or certification of individuals performing this work in New York State.  2011 NY A 1769 Mold Legislation (introduced 1/11/11) will require applicants for a license to submit proof or certification by the American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC) or any other nationally recognized, third-party accredited certifying body that operates independently of training organizations and industry trade associations.  An applicant for an initial license must pass the department licensing examination in that area of licensure with a score of at least seventy percent correct before applying for the license.  All applicants must pass the department licensing examination within six months of earning certification.  While 2011 NY A 728 Childhood Lead Poisoning Primary Prevention and Safe Housing Act will require the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to promulgate rules and regulations that shall provide for, but not be limited to, qualifications of individuals eligible to conduct such inspections, standards of practice, procedures or protocol for conducting such inspections and requirements for written reports documenting the results of such inspections. To satisfy the requirements of this paragraph, the NYSDOH may adopt regulations sufficient to satisfy the requirements of 40 C.F.R. Part 745 Subpart Q or successor regulation. It would also allow the NYSDOH to promulgate rules and regulations sufficient to satisfy the requirements of 40 C.F.R. Part 745 Subpart Q or successor regulation, governing the accreditation of persons engaging in lead based paint activities.  Don't forget it will also establish by regulation a schedule of fees for the accreditation and registration of persons engaging in lead-based paint activities or conducting inspections for conditions conducive to lead poisoning or lead-based paint activities. Such fees shall be required to be paid at the time of initial registration and at the time of subsequent renewal of registration and shall be deposited into the childhood lead poisoning primary prevention and safe housing fund established pursuant to section ninety-nine-t of the state finance law.
Along with many of you, I don't know what the chances are of these regulations actually being promulgated.  It will be interesting to see if the new year sees us with both lead and mold regulations.  In addition, their seems to be movement on the asbestos front on a new regulation taking into account the Deutsche Bank fire issues.  The PACNY Environmental Conference is in three weeks and we will see if Mr. Chris Alonge has anything new to say about the asbestos regulations.

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• NYS Toxic Mold Task Force Completes Final Report (futureenv.blogspot.com)
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