From Nation's Building News:
Few Subcontractors Aware of the EPA’s New Lead Paint Rule
Few subcontractors associated with home building and remodeling are aware of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new rule, set to go in effect in April 2010, that will govern remodeling activities in homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 that are more likely to contain lead.
During an NAHB meeting at the National Housing Center in Washington, D.C., to discuss concerns about the rule last week, representatives of several remodeling-related trade associations, including insulation and HVAC installers and other subcontractors, told NAHB staff members that many of their members were unaware of the EPA’s new Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule.
The meeting highlighted the importance of the EPA’s planned public awareness campaign intended to underscore the importance of hiring firms certified to do work in so-called “target housing” — homes built before 1978 and occupied by pregnant women and children under the age of six.
In addition to lack of awareness, NAHB staff members discussed other concerns and problems about the rule that will affect remodelers and subcontractors. These include:
* While the rule is assumed to target only remodelers, it applies to any contractor who “disturbs” at least six square feet of painted surfaces on the inside of a home or 20 square feet on the outside. Contractors who install windows, insulation, home entertainment equipment or similar work in the target housing must become certified to do the work.
* The EPA estimates that 200,000 people will need to be certified by April 22, yet the agency has only approved 97 firms to do the training — a required six hours of class instruction and at least two hours of hands-on training — and the EPA indicates that the hands-on training can only be conducted in groups of six or fewer people. Currently, about 1,200 contractors have completed the training, the EPA estimates.
* While the EPA has hired a public relations and marketing firm to create an awareness campaign for both industry professionals and the public, and the rule set to take effect in five months, the campaign has not been initiated.
* NAHB remodelers have indicated that EPA’s cost estimates for compliance — $35 per job — are woefully low. According to one remodeler’s budgeting worksheet that has been sent to the agency, the added training, materials, testing, cleanup and recordkeeping required under the rule will add between $1,200 and $1,600 per job, not including the additional costs for any subcontractors to comply.
* Even though training is already underway, the EPA has released a proposed amendment to the rule that would add more requirements and costs to comply — and subject the remodeling and renovation of an additional 40 million homes to the rule. In addition, some state environmental offices are considering additional requirements. These developments have left many remodelers uncertain about whether the training the EPA has now approved will be enough to qualify before the certification deadline.
The confusion surrounding the rule and the additional costs for compliance will lead to unintended consequences, said Matt Watkins, NAHB’s environmental policy analyst.
“The more expensive it is to hire a certified remodeler or any kind of contractor to do work on a home, the more likely it is that the home owner will decide instead to make it a do-it-yourself project — and there is no requirement for home owners to use lead-safe work practices,” Watkins said.
“There aren’t enough training options. New proposals continue to surface. The EPA hasn’t made this a priority for public outreach, so the average consumer just thinks it’s an optional added cost, not a necessity. This isn’t the way to keep children from being exposed to lead paint dust,” he added.
Remodelers Urged to Submit Comments to the EPA on Proposed Lead Paint Rule Changes by Nov. 27
NAHB remodelers are urged to submit comments to the EPA by Nov. 27 on the recent proposed changes to lead paint rule.
Members who wish to send comments to the EPA can download and complete a letter template created by NAHB.
For more information on the current rule, including obtaining training and certification, visit www.nahb.org/leadpaint.
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Tuesday, November 17, 2009
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