June 27, 2007—The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing that contractors and construction professionals doing renovation in child-occupied facilities that contain lead-based paint follow lead-safe work practices, and have accredited training and certification.
In January 2006, EPA proposed training, certification, and work practice requirements for contractors who perform renovations in most pre-1978 housing.
The primary purpose of this supplemental proposal is to prevent the creation of new lead-based paint hazards from renovation activities in child-occupied facilities. The proposal defines a child-occupied facility in terms of the number of hours a child under age six spends there on a regular basis.
Child-occupied facilities may be located in housing or in public or commercial buildings. They include child care centers, preschools, and kindergarten classrooms. EPA’s analysis indicates that renovation, repair, and painting projects in child-occupied facilities that are likely to contain lead-based paint may affect as many as 916,000 children under age six annually.
For more information or to comment on the proposal, visit the EPA Web site.
