EPA Miscalculates Availability of Lead Paint Test Kit

EPA Sign Copyright Kevin Grant — Copyright: Kevin Grant

The Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule requires that any activities in pre-1978 housing be performed by certified firms and workers using federal, lead safe work practices. In establishing the cost to implement the rule, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) relied on the market availability of a low-cost, rapid and accurate chemical spot test for guiding lead paint repairs. But a test kit that meets the Agency's criteria is not available. This effectively increases the number of jobs subject to the rule. That’s because contractors must act as if lead paint is present if they cannot find the kit.

NMHC/NAA are urging the agency to reassess the significant economic impact of the rule. Importantly, only properties that have been tested according to the approved federal protocol, and found to be free of lead paint, are exempt from the rule’s requirement.

Paula Cino pcino@nmhc.org

Sarah Rahman srahman@nmhc.org

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EPA Miscalculates Availability of Lead Paint Test Kit

July 15, 2015

Staff Resource

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