From:      NAHB Communications

Date:       July 18, 2011

Subject:   EPA Rejects Lead Paint Third-Party Clearance Testing Proposal

On Friday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rejected a proposal to add third-party clearance testing to the Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP). NAHB had requested that this regulation be selected for review by the EPA under the Presidential Executive Order for Regulatory Review (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review, 76 FR 3821 issued on Jan. 21) concerning the impact of federal rules on small businesses and job creation.

“We’re pleased that the EPA listened to the concerns of remodelers about the extreme costs the proposed clearance testing would have imposed,” said Bob Peterson, NAHB Remodelers chair and a remodeler from Fort Collins, Colo. “Home owners are saved from spending a great deal of money on lead testing. If remodeling is more affordable, home owners will be able to hire an EPA-certified renovator to keep them safe from lead dust hazards during renovation.”

Read about the ruling, and the impact it will have on remodelers and consumers, in NAHB’s press release here.

HBAs are encouraged to get the word out to their members and to consumers using the resources for remodelers and other contractors available at www.nahb.org/leadpaint.

Consumers can find out more about the lead rule at www.nahb.org/leadsafe. 

For questions about lead paint, email NAHB Remodelers at remodel@nahb.org, or call Kelly Mack at 800-368-5242, ext. 8451.

Press Release from the National Association of Home Builders