After carefully weighing all available information and considering the public comments, EPA has concluded it is not necessary to impose new lead-dust sampling and laboratory analysis, known as the clearance requirements, as part of the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (LRRP) rule. The Agency believes that the existing lead-safe work practices and clean up requirements -- which went into place in 2010 -- will protect people from lead dust hazards created during renovations jobs without the need for additional clearance requirements.
Nothing in today’s action will hamper implementation of the tough protections already in place. EPA determined that the lead-safe work practices will protect human health without imposing additional regulatory burdens and costs associated with taking dust samples and obtaining laboratory analyses.
EPA had agreed to complete a final rule addressing the clearance issue by July 15 as part of an agreement to settlement litigation with the Sierra Club and other petitioners over certain post-renovation cleaning requirements of the 2008 RRP rule.
Although EPA is not imposing clearance requirements, the final rule clarifies and strengthens the current lead-safe work practices, including requiring that a vertical containment system or equivalent measures be used when outside renovations are performed within 10 feet of a property line, and that HEPA-vacuum filters be changed at regular intervals.
EPA will aggressively enforce the LRRP rule and continue our extensive education and outreach program to ensure lead-safe work practices and continue to reduce lead poisonings across the country.
Please visit www.epa.gov/lead for a copy of this final rule or for additional information on the LRRP requirements.
Click here to read the pre-publication of the full LRRP rule.
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