After nearly four years of legal challenges and revisions, contractors and unions face stiffer federal safety mandates after April 22 for lead-paint dust containment in homes and public facilities built before 1978 that are occupied by children under the age of seven. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says its Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule will reduce child lead-poisoning levels, but some construction groups are concerned about added cost for small contractors as well as insufficient worker training around the U.S.
The rule, first proposed in 2006, requires renovation workers to be EPA-certified and sets new standards for site containment, protective clothing, waste disposal, record-keeping and safety verification. The mandate applies to all homes, even childless ones, but exempts homeowners from its requirements.