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Background Information
On this page
- Title 10 Requirements
- Training and Certification
- Education and Outreach
- Filing a Section 1018 (Lead Disclosure Rule) Complaint
About three-quarters of the nation's housing stock built before 1978 (64 million homes) contains some lead-based paint. Chips and dust from this paint can create a health hazard. Recent studies indicate that almost one million children have blood-lead levels above safe limits. To protect children from exposure to lead in paint, dust, and soil, Congress passed the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, also known as Title 10.
Title 10 Requirements
Under Title 10, several federal agencies are developing a national lead program and supporting policies to prevent and reduce lead-based paint exposures and hazards. EPA has been working to improve public awareness and understanding of lead hazards. EPA is also promulgating regulations that will reduce lead risks to children, the group most vulnerable to lead poisoning.
Current federal lead regulations include:
- disclosure of lead prior to sale or lease of real estate
- hazard education before renovation
- lead hazard identification
EPA is currently developing new regulations covering lead in renovation and remodeling, lead debris disposal, and testing and performance criteria for products that contain lead.
Training and Certification
- EPA-Accredited Lead Paint Training Providers (nationwide)
- EPA-Certified Lead-Based Paint Firms (in Region 9)
To ensure that lead paint inspections, risk assessments, and abatements in pre-1978 housing and child care facilities are properly conducted, EPA regulations have been established for:
- training and certification of contractors
- accreditation requirements (to ensure that training programs provide quality instruction)
- work practice standards (to ensure that work involving buildings with lead-based paint is conducted safely).
The State of California is authorized to conduct its own training and certification program under the Department of Health Services. EPA is administering training and certification programs for lead abatement workers and contractors in Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, and the Pacific Islands (Guam, American Samoa, and the Marianas Islands).
Individuals and firms conducting lead-based paint activities in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities must be trained and certified. For more information, see EPA's national lead Web site.
Education and Outreach
EPA Region 9's Lead Program has an education/outreach program to help people interpret Title 10 and to provide hazard information.
Filing a Section 1018 (Lead Disclosure Rule) Complaint
EPA is actively enforcing Section 1018, which requires that lessors or sellers of pre-1978 housing disclose the presence of lead-based paint to prospective tenants or buyers. EPA staff follows up on all tips and complaints received.
To file a Section 1018 complaint in Region 9, use this form:
Report an Environmental Violation
0r contact:
Max Weintraub (weintraub.max@epa.gov)
Regional Lead Enforcement Coordinator
(415) 947-4163