EPA to Begin Surveying Remodelers, Contractors About Lead

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will soon begin surveying a select group of remodelers and other contractors, as well as property managers and lessors of public and commercial buildings regarding lead-safe work practices.

The survey is part of EPA’s efforts to determine the need for potential regulation of renovation activities in those types of buildings.

Beginning this month, EPA will be sending notification letters about the survey to potential respondents. Phone surveys will then be conducted on behalf of EPA by representatives of Abt Associates. While survey administrators might make multiple attempts to contact respondents, participation in the survey is completely voluntary.

If rules are finalized regarding renovation activities in public and commercial buildings, those new rules could also apply to many multifamily buildings.

A determination of whether EPA will issue a proposed regulation is expected by March 2017. However, the agency has repeatedly missed previous settlement deadlines to make this determination.

NAHB staff will continue to track EPA action on this issue and provide updates as they become available. For more about the potential regulation of lead paint in public and commercial buildings, contact Tamra Spielvogel at 800-368-5242 x8327.

This article was posted on the NAHB Now blog.