EPA moves toward voluntary program, not regulation, for lead paint safety
WASHINGTON The E-P-A is considering a relaxation in regulations meant to protect children and home remodelers from lead-based paint. The environmental agency says it may ask companies that perform renovations on structures with lead paint to voluntarily adopt safe practices. For ten years, the practices have been mandatory. The government banned the sale of lead-based paint in 1977.
An E-P-A spokesman says the new rules are meant save money for both households and industry and are still on the table.
An advocacy group says the tighter restrictions would cost homeowners about 116-dollars per interior renovation and 42-dollars for exterior work.
According to the E-P-A, about one-point-four (m) million children under the age of seven in nearly five (m) million households are at risk of lead exposure due to unsafe repair and renovations.
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