Lead Newsroom Archive

Find news releases related to lead dated January 2025 and earlier.

2025

  • January 2025: EPA announced that its "Lead Poisoning and Your Children" pamphlet is available in Arabic, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Dari, English, French, Korean, Pashto, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese. 

2024

  • December 2024: EPA announced that it will not initiate a proposed rulemaking addressing the manufacture, processing, or distribution in commerce of lead for wheel-balancing weights (“lead wheel weights”) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), after reviewing the information submitted in response to an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) issued in April 2024, and EPA’s technical analysis thereof. EPA’s analysis shows that risks to children from lead wheel weights are significantly lower than described in the petition EPA received on this issue in 2009 claimed. Specifically, EPA estimates that dust from lead wheel weights represents an extremely small fraction of a child’s overall residential lead exposure, even if the residence is near busy roads. EPA also found that since the petition was filed, nine U.S. states and Canada have banned lead wheel weights, and EPA was informed that vehicle manufacturers no longer install lead wheel weights on new vehicles sold in the U.S.   
  • October 24, 2024: EPA finalized a rule to strengthen the dust-lead reportable levels and the dust-lead action levels (previously referred to as the dust-lead hazard standards and the dust-lead clearance levels). The final rule reduces the level of lead in dust that EPA considers hazardous to any reportable level measured by an EPA-recognized laboratory. The rule also lowers the amount of lead that can remain in dust on floors, window sills and window troughs after a lead paint abatement occurs to the lowest levels that can be reliably and quickly measured in laboratories: from 10 micrograms (µg) per square foot (ft2) for floors, 100 µg/ft2 for window sills, and 400 µg/ft2 for window troughs to the dust-lead action levels of 5 µg/ft2 for floors, 40 µg/ft2 for window sills and 5 µg/ft2 for troughs.  This will result in significant reductions in exposures when compared to prior standards. Read the press release.
  • August 8, 2024: EPA announced the availability of “Renovate Lead-Safe” fact sheets and webpages for do-it-yourselfers in 12 additional languages. These resources are aimed at increasing awareness of lead-safe work practices and prevent lead exposure when homeowners perform renovation, repair and painting (RRP) projects on their pre-1978 homes. The English versions of these resources were published in 2022 with the Renovate Lead-Safe Media Kit.  
  • March 27, 2024: EPA released an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) asking the public for information on the potential ways in which people might be exposed to lead through the use of wheel weights. EPA is asking interested parties to submit scientific studies about how lead wheel weights are used, the possible ways in which people could be exposed to lead, and information about alternatives to lead wheel weights, among other topics. This information will help EPA determine if the use of lead wheel weights poses unreasonable risk to human health and the environment. If unreasonable risk is found, EPA will initiate a proposed rulemaking under TSCA to address the unreasonable risk. Read the listserv and the advance notice of proposed rulemaking.

2023

2022

  • January 21, 2022: EPA announced it will proceed on March 21, 2022 to withdraw previously published answers to two Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) concerning property management companies and their compliance responsibility under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Lead Renovation Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule. On November 4, 2021, EPA published a notice in the Federal Register explaining the rationale for the withdrawal and requested public comment to identify any relevant information that could change the EPA’s decision to withdraw the two FAQs. The Notice explained that, following the comment period and the Agency’s consideration of comments received by that date, the EPA intended to post a memorandum that states whether the withdrawal will take effect as planned. Read the memorandum confirming that EPA will proceed to withdraw the FAQs: OECA-22-000-1701 (pdf) (120.83 KB) , the press release, and the Federal Register notice (EPA-EPA-HQ-OECA-2021-0763). 

2021

  • November 4, 2021: EPA announced its intent to improve compliance and strengthen enforcement of the lead-based paint RRP Rule as it applies to property management companies that perform, offer, or claim to perform regulated renovations without certification from the EPA in pre-1978 housing or child-occupied facilities. EPA published a notice in the Federal Register announcing its intention to withdraw previously published answers to two FAQs concerning property management companies and their compliance responsibilities under the TSCA and the Lead RRP rule.  The notice explains the EPA’s rationale for the withdrawal, and circumstances where a PMC must obtain certification from the EPA and ensure that renovations in the homes they manage are performed by certified firms and employees trained to use lead-safe work practices. Read the press release and the Federal Register notice  (EPA-EPA-HQ-OECA-2021-0763). 
  • October 28, 2021: EPA released the draft Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities (Lead Strategy) for public comment. The agency is seeking input from communities affected by lead contamination through virtual and in person workshops nationwide. EPA’s Lead Strategy will utilize the full suite of EPA authorities, expertise, and resources to reduce lead exposure. It outlines three significant ways the agency can reduce lead exposure in overburdened communities. Learn more about progress on the Federal Lead Action Plan.
  • October 27, 2021: EPA announced that it has completed over 100 federal enforcement actions from October 2020 through September 2021 to ensure that entities such as renovation contractors, landlords and real estate professionals comply with rules that protect the public from exposure to lead from lead-based paint. The highlighted FY2021 enforcement actions include EPA civil administrative proceedings, and judicial civil and criminal actions prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice. Enforcement actions require alleged violators to come into compliance with the law and, in most cases, to pay penalties. In determining the appropriate civil penalty amount, the agency considers a violator’s ability to pay, ability to continue to do business, and other factors. In some of the settlements announced today, EPA exercised its enforcement discretion and reduced the penalty because the cases involved minor violations and/or small-scale businesses with an inability to pay the penalty.  View additional highlights of FY2021 enforcement actions.
  • September 30, 2021: In keeping with the commitment to transparency, EPA released the results from an industry survey it conducted from 2016 to 2018 on renovations performed in public and commercial buildings. The survey utilized separate questionnaires for contractors, building lessors and managers, and building owners and occupants. This activity is occurring as part of EPA’s continuing work on determining the extent to which renovations of public buildings built before 1978 and commercial buildings do or do not create lead-based paint hazards and on developing appropriate Work Practice Standards for such renovation activities, to the extent they are deemed to be necessary. The information collected includes: building and activity patterns that may affect exposures to dust-lead from renovation activities; the number of firms that perform renovations; the types and numbers of renovation activities that are performed; the extent to which various work practices are being used in renovation jobs; and the extent to which various work practices that help with the containment and cleanup of dust-lead are being used in renovations. EPA has posted clean data files of the survey results for each questionnaire in the docket for the survey’s Information Collection Request at Regulations.gov (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2013-0715).
  • September 27, 2021: EPA launched a new training initiative, Enhancing Lead-Safe Work Practices through Education and Outreach (ELSWPEO), to raise awareness about childhood lead exposure and protect environmentally overburdened and underserved communities across the United States from lead exposure. ELSWPEO aims to serve local communities by increasing both the number of renovation, repair and painting (RRP) certified firms and consumer demand for lead-safe work practices. Find ELSWPEO training dates and locations, outreach materials, and general information.
  • April 22, 2021: On the 11th anniversary of the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule, EPA launched a Spanish-language website to cover lead. The “plomo” (or "lead" in Spanish) web area makes it easier for Spanish-speaking communities, families, contractors and renovators across the United States, including Puerto Rico, to access information on lead and EPA’s Spanish-language resources in one place. You can view the new Spanish-language plomo web area at espanol.epa.gov/plomo.

2020

  • December 21, 2020: EPA announced a final rule reducing the amount of lead that can remain in dust on floors and window sills after lead removal activities.  These new clearance levels will reduce lead dust-related risks to children in pre-1978 homes and child care facilities where lead abatement activities take place. These clearance levels indicate that lead dust was effectively removed at the end of abatement work. EPA’s new clearance levels are 10 micrograms (µg) of lead in dust per square foot (ft2) for floor dust and 100 µg/ft2 for window sill dust, significantly lower than the previous levels of 40 µg/ft2 for floor dust and 250 µg/ft2 for window sill dust. Read the press release. Learn more about clearance levels and the final rule.
  • October 29, 2020:  EPA highlighted 89 federal enforcement actions completed over the last year to protect the public, especially young children, from exposure to lead in paint.  The cases highlighted in this summary involved alleged noncompliance with at least one of the following Agency’s lead-based paint requirements: the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule; the  TSCA Lead-based Paint Activities Rule; and the Lead Disclosure Rule (LDR) under Section 1018 of the Residential Lead-based Paint Hazard Reduction Act. Read the press release and find more information.
  • October 21, 2020: EPA released Lead Awareness in Indian Country: Keeping our Children Healthy!,  a curriculum to help tribes and all communities protect children from potential lead exposure. EPA collaborated with the National Tribal Toxics Council and the National EPA-Tribal Science Council to develop the curriculum to include relevant tribal scenarios and cultural information to increase awareness and education in Indian country. As a result, the curriculum was developed in partnership with over 200 tribal representatives from approximately 80 different tribal governments and tribal organizations. The Lead Awareness in Indian Country: Keeping our Children Healthy! curriculum is a series of four modules which include lesson plans, worksheets, key messages, presentation slides, and kids activity sheets that community leaders and other instructors can use to improve public awareness of the dangers associated with lead exposure and promote preventative actions. Read the press release, and view and download the curriculum.
  • June 29, 2020: EPA issued a memorandum on a termination addendum to the COVID-19 temporary enforcement policy. EPA has selected August 31, 2020, as the termination date for the temporary enforcement policy.
  • June 17, 2020: EPA is proposing to reduce the amount of lead that can remain in dust on floors and window sills after lead removal activities to protect children from the harmful effects of lead exposure. The agency's proposal would lower the amount of lead that can remain in dust on floors and window sills after lead removal activities from 40 micrograms (µg) of lead in dust per square foot (ft2) to 10 µg/ft2 for floor dust and from 250 µg/ft2 to 100 µg/ft2 for window sill dust. This action is an important step to reduce exposure to lead sources and directly supports the December 2018 Federal Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and Associated Health Impacts. EPA is accepting public comments on this proposal for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register in docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0063. Read the proposed rule to strengthen the dust-lead clearance levels.

  • May 8, 2020: EPA released a COVID-19 policy statement regarding EPA’s lead-based paint program. The COVID-19 public health emergency is affecting the certification process for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead-based Paint Activities (Abatement) Program and the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program. This policy statement applies only to individuals certified by the U.S. EPA under the Lead-based Paint Activities Program and the RRP Program, not those certified by an authorized State, tribe or territory. Authorized States, tribes and territories may take a different approach under their own authorities. Already certified individuals operating under the U.S. EPA administered programs may be unable to take in-person third-party exams or complete the in-person hands on activities required as part of the certification or recertification process because most exam and training providers are closed due to the public health emergency.  Although performing regulated activities without complete or proper certification is a violation of EPA’s lead-based paint regulations, U.S. EPA’s enforcement memorandum of March 26, 2020 (Temporary COVID-19 Enforcement Policy), provides that EPA may exercise its enforcement discretion with regard to such violations if your interim certification or certification expired on or after March 13, 2020 and it was not possible to complete your certification or recertification process solely due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. If you continue to perform regulated activities, we recommend that you follow the terms of the Temporary COVID-19 Enforcement Policy. You should review the Temporary COVID-19 Enforcement Policy in its entirety and pay particular attention to the following:

    • Make every effort to comply with your environmental compliance obligations;
    • Document the cause and circumstances of the noncompliance; and
    • Complete the third-party exam or refresher training course as expeditiously as possible when it is practicable to take in-person third-party exams for certification or complete the in-person hands on activities for recertification.

    Allowing individuals whose interim certification or certification expired on or after March 13, 2020 due to the COVID-19 public health emergency to continue to participate in the EPA Abatement and RRP Programs during this public health emergency will contribute to the public health goal of protecting children and others from lead paint hazards.

2019

  • June 21, 2019: EPA announced new, tighter standards for lead in dust on floors and window sills to protect children from the harmful effects of lead exposure. The final rule lowers the dust-lead hazard standards from 40 µg/ft2 and 250 µg/ft2 to 10 µg/ft2 and 100 µg/ft2 on floors and window sills, respectively. EPA is also finalizing its proposal to make no change to the current definition of lead-based paint because there is insufficient information to support such a change at this time. Read the press release. View the final rule.
  • April 1, 2019: EPA released the Implementation Status Report for EPA Actions under the December 2018 Federal Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and Associated Health Impacts (Status Report). The Status Report describes EPA activities that are being conducted in support of the Lead Action Plan. Through the President’s Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children, EPA continues to work with its federal partners to improve coordinated activities and implement objectives of the Lead Action Plan. Read the press release. View the FY 2019 status report.

2018

  • December 19, 2018: EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler, U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson, and U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan unveiled the Trump Administration’s Federal Lead Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and Associated Health Impacts (Lead Action Plan). Developed through cross-governmental collaboration of the President’s Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children, which includes 17 federal departments and offices, the Lead Action Plan is a blueprint for reducing lead exposure and associated harms by working with a range of stakeholders, including states, tribes and local communities, along with businesses, property owners and parents. Read the press release. Read the Lead Action Plan.
  • October 22, 2018: EPA released “Protecting Children from Lead Exposures” to highlight some of the ongoing programs being worked on across the various program and regional offices. The Agency continues to aggressively address lead issues across America, working with communities and partners to further identify and eliminate lead exposure, especially for children who are most vulnerable to lead poisoning.
  • June 22, 2018: EPA is proposing to change the dust-lead hazard standards from 40 µg/ft2 and 250 µg/ft2 to 10 µg/ft2 and 100 µg/ft2 on floors and window sills, respectively. EPA is proposing no changes to the current definition of lead-based paint because the Agency currently lacks sufficient information to support such a change. Upon publication of the Federal Register notice, EPA will accept comments on the proposal for 45 days in docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0166. Read the press release. View the proposed rule.
  • February 5, 2018: EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt formally invited members of the President’s Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children to participate in a Principals Meeting to discuss next steps in developing a federal strategy to reduce childhood lead exposure and eliminate associated health impacts. The meeting was held on February 15, 2018, from 2-3 pm in Washington, D.C. Read the press release. View the letter inviting cabinet secretaries and other principals to a meeting on next steps in developing a federal strategy to reduce childhood lead exposure.

2017

  • August 29, 2017: Natural disasters, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes or floods, often result in the need for renovations to damaged homes and other structures. When common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition occur in structures that contain lead-based paint, such activities create lead-based paint hazards, including lead-contaminated dust. Lead-based paint hazards are harmful to both adults and children, but particularly pregnant women and children under the age of six. To ensure that property owners and occupants are able to act quickly to preserve their homes and property in the wake of disasters, the RRP rule includes an emergency provision exempting firms from certain requirements. Read more about post-disaster renovations and lead-based paint. 
  • January 10, 2017: One of the 10 great public health achievements in recent history is the great progress we have made in reducing childhood lead exposure. Over the past 50 years, EPA and federal and state partners have worked together on actions that have eliminated or drastically reduced the use of lead in gasoline, paint, plumbing pipes, food cans, and a variety of other products. Achieving continued meaningful reductions in lead exposure requires a long-term concerted effort that addresses all current and historic sources. EPA published a science-based public health approach and a coordinated strategy for continuing our progress to reduce lead exposures and protect public health. This approach outlines a common set of public health principles that will guide the Agency’s work to eliminate the adverse effects from lead exposure. Read more.

2016

  • November 3, 2016: EPA announced more than 100 federal enforcement actions completed over the last year that require entities like renovation contractors, landlords and property managers to protect communities and public health from exposure to lead. From October 2015 through September 2016, EPA entered into 123 settlements for alleged violations of one or more of the three lead-based paint rules--the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule; the Lead Disclosure Rule; and the Lead-based Paint Activities Rule for abatements--and filed six complaints for ongoing actions. Each settlement requires that the alleged violator return to compliance and, in most cases, pay civil penalties. Collectively, the settlements require violators to pay $1,046,655 in penalties. Read more.
  • October 17, 2016: EPA fined a Portland, Oregon based remodeling firm, Hammer and Hand Inc., $69,398, for failing to comply with federal lead-based paint rules. Hammer and Hand failed to follow lead-safe work practices while performing renovation work on two older homes in Portland last year. Read more.
  • September 28, 2016: EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) today announced a settlement with Sears Home Improvement Products Inc. that resolves alleged violations of the federal Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule for work performed by Sears’ contractors during home renovation projects across the country. Under the settlement, Sears will implement a comprehensive, corporate-wide program to ensure that the contractors it hires to perform work minimize lead dust from home renovation activities. Sears will also pay a $400,000 civil penalty. Read more.
  • February 10, 2016: EPA finalized revisions to the Lead Renovation, Repair (RRP) program to reduce burden and costs to industry and to clarify language for training providers. The cost savings of this rule are estimated at approximately $1.8 million to $3.4 million per year. EPA will now allow online training for every other recertification for the renovator refresher training under the lead-based paint program. Renovators who take the online training will be certified for three years; renovators who take the hands-on training will be certified for five years. The Agency is also simplifying the certification process in states that do not have delegated programs under the Lead-based Paint Activities (abatement) program. Finally, EPA is clarifying language on the requirements for training providers. Read more.

2015

  • December 21, 2015: EPA is seeking public comment on lead test kits and other field testing options. Without proposing any regulatory amendments at this time, EPA is specifically soliciting comment on the following potential lead test kit and field options: 1) proposing to eliminate the positive response criterion; 2) proposing to modify the positive response criterion; 3) maintaining the current negative response and positive response criteria; 4) proposing to provide reduced RRP certification training requirements for XRF technicians; 5) exploring any other lead-based paint field testing technology that would provide reduced costs for consumers, remodelers and families to comply with the RRP rule. EPA will receive written comments in the docket for 60 days. Read the Federal Register Notice.
  • October 27, 2015: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced 75 enforcement actions from the past year that require renovation contractors and training providers to protect people from harmful exposure to lead dust and debris, as required by EPA’s Lead-based Paint Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) regulations. Read the press release.
  • May 12, 2015: EPA is holding a public meeting related to lead test kits referenced in the 2008 Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule. The meeting will be held on June 4, 2015. EPA is specifically seeking information related to: 1) the existing market for lead test kits as referenced in the 2008 RRP rule; 2) the development or modification of lead test kit(s) that may meet EPA’s positive-response criterion (in addition to the negative-response criterion); and 3) other alternatives for lead-based paint field testing. EPA will receive written comments in the docket for the 2008 RRP rule for 30 days after the meeting is held. Read more.
  • May 7, 2015: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) releases a new report, "Educational Interventions for Children Affected by Lead." The report outlines available scientific data describing the effects of lead, summarizes in plain language the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA) parts B and C, and provides information on how these provisions relate to children affected by lead.
  • April 16, 2015: EPA is extending the certifications of certain individual renovators under the Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule. Please be aware that the extensions only apply to individual renovators who must get recertification training within the timeframes explained in the rule. The extensions do not apply to firm certifications. EPA is taking this action so that, if and when the changes in a January 2015 proposed rule are finalized, those renovators can take advantage of the changes. Certifications were extended only for individual renovators whose certifications expire before changes to the refresher training can be finalized. The extensions do not apply to individual renovators that need their initial certification. Read more.
  • January 14, 2015: EPA is proposing revisions to the Lead-based Paint Program. The minor revisions will improve the day-to-day function of the Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) and Lead-based Paint Activities (abatement) programs by reducing burden and costs to industry and clarifying language for training providers. Cost savings to industry are estimated to be between $9.6 million to $9.8 million per year. In addition to these revisions, the Agency is requesting comment on extending the renovator recertification deadline until this rule can be finalized.

2014

  • December 19, 2014: After carefully reviewing the most recent available scientific evidence, and consulting with the Agency’s independent science advisors, EPA is proposing to retain, without revision, the national ambient air quality standards for lead. Read more.
  • December 19, 2014: EPA announced 62 enforcement actions that require renovation contractors and training providers to protect people from harmful exposure to lead dust and debris, as required by EPA’s Lead-based Paint Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) standards. Read the press release.
  • August 6, 2014: EPA is seeking public comment on the “Approach for Estimating Exposures and Incremental Health Effects from Lead Due to Renovation Repair and Painting Activities in Public and Commercial Buildings.” The document describes in detail the modeling methodology that can be used to estimate the amount of lead in the environment and in people’s bodies, and health effects related to exposure to lead-based paint as a result of renovation, repair and painting activities in public and commercial buildings. Following public input, EPA will seek independent scientific peer review of the report. EPA will consider public comments on these documents and other information as the Agency assesses whether lead-based paint hazards are created by public and commercial building renovations. Any proposed regulation would also be open for public review and comment. Read the Federal Register announcement and the Approach document.
  • May 28, 2014: EPA is seeking public comment on the “Framework for Identifying and Evaluating Lead-Based Paint Hazards from Renovation, Repair, and Painting Activities in Public and Commercial Buildings.” The Framework describes a tailored approach for identifying and evaluating potential hazards created by renovations of public and commercial buildings. EPA will consider the public comments as the Agency assesses whether hazards are created by public and commercial building renovations. The Agency will develop proposed requirements to reduce any hazards, if found; such requirements would also be subject to public review and comment. Read the Federal Register announcement and the Framework.
  • April 25, 2014: EPA is inviting small businesses to participate as consultants on a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel as the agency considers steps to reduce lead-based paint exposure from the renovation, repair, and painting of public and commercial buildings. Read the press release.
  • April 17, 2014: EPA and the Department of Justice announced that Lowe’s Home Centers, one of the nation’s largest home improvement retailers, has agreed to implement a comprehensive, corporate-wide compliance program at its over 1,700 stores nationwide to ensure that the contractors it hires to perform work minimize lead dust from home renovation activities, as required by the federal Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule. The company will also pay a $500,000 civil penalty, which is the largest ever for violations of the RRP Rule. Read more information about the settlement.
  • March 14, 2014: Delaware has become the fourteenth state authorized to administer and enforce a Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program. The state program is now in effect in lieu of the federal RRP program. For more information about the program, including information on applying for certification or to find training, contact Delaware’s Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at (302)744-4546.
  • February 18, 2014: EPA announced enforcement actions that will require 35 home renovation contractors and training providers to take additional steps to protect communities by minimizing harmful lead dust from home renovation activities, as required by the EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Standards. Read more.

2013

  • September 24, 2013: EPA published a report on “How to Identify Lead-Free Certification Marks for Drinking Water System & Plumbing Materials.” 
  • August 6, 2013: CPSC announces a recall of certain children's bedroom furniture due to lead paint. Read the announcement.
  • July 31, 2013: CPC announces a recall of certain children’s outdoor furniture due to lead paint. Read the announcement.
  • June 26, 2013: EPA released the final report "Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Lead," which provides a concise review, synthesis, and evaluation of the most policy-relevant science to serve as a scientific foundation for the review of the Lead National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). Read the announcement.
  • May 13, 2013: EPA published a notice of a public meeting that will be held June 26, 2013, on renovation, repair and painting activities in public and commercial buildings. A December 31, 2012 advance notice announced the meeting and opened a comment period to allow data and other information to be submitted by the public and interested stakeholders. This current notice provides additional details related to the public meeting, including a discussion guide summarizing data and information received, and reopens the comment period to the public and interested stakeholders. Read more.
  • May 2, 2013: EPA announced an additional 17 enforcement actions for violations of the lead-based paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule. Read the press release.
  • February 22, 2013: Home improvement TV show, Hometime, aired a special segment in early February on tips and advice on EPA's Lead RRP Rule on nationwide syndicated networks and PBS. Watch the video.
  • February 4, 2013: EPA, HUD, and several other agencies today unveiled Advancing Healthy Housing – A Strategy for Action to address the nation's health and economic burdens caused by preventable hazards associated with the home, and encourage preemptive actions that will help reduce the number of American homes with health and safety hazards. Read the announcement.
  • January 25, 2013: EPA released "America's Children and the Environment, Third Edition," a comprehensive compilation of information from a variety of sources on children’s health and the environment, including specific information on lead. Read the announcement.

2012

  • December 31, 2012: EPA announced a public comment period and requested (1) data and other information on whether RRP activities on public and commercial buildings might create lead-based paint hazards, and (2) on appropriate certification, training, and work practice requirements. The comment period runs through April 1, 2013. EPA also announced that a public meeting on this topic will be held on June 26, 2013. For more information, including instructions for providing comments, read the Federal Register notice.
  • December 28, 2012: EPA has updated the lead hazard information document "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home." EPA will not require users to discard older versions of the document, therefore existing stocks may be used until exhausted. Download the new document (PDF) . For print files of the document, contact your EPA regional office or the National Lead Information Center.
  • December 3, 2012: HUD announced the 2013 Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program. 
  • November 14, 2012: EPA announced 16 enforcement actions for violations of the lead-based paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP). Read the press release.
  • April 5, 2012: EPA fines violators of the Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting rule. Read the press release.

2011

  • October 23-29, 2011: Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (LPPW). For children, even low levels of lead exposure can cause a host of developmental effects. Read the press release.
  • July 5, 2011: Georgia became authorized to administer and enforce a Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program. EPA's authorization of Georgia's program is based on the receipt of an application for authorization signed by Georgia's Attorney General certifying that the Georgia programs are at least as protective as the federal lead RRP program and that the Georgia programs provide adequate enforcement. The state program is now in effect in lieu of the federal RRP program. For more information about Georgia's new program, including information on applying for certification or to find training, contact the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, Lead-based Paint and Asbestos Program at 404-363-7026, or visit the state website.
  • April 20, 2011: EPA joined with the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Ad Council to sponsor a public service announcement advertising campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of lead poisoning to children. The ads, in English and Spanish, urge viewers to visit the campaign website and hotline 1-800-424-LEAD to learn more. Read the press release.
  • March 16, 2011: Washington state became authorized to administer and enforce a Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program and a Pre-Renovation Education program. EPA's authorization of Washington's program is based on the receipt of an application for authorization signed by Washington's Governor certifying that the Washington programs are at least as protective as the federal lead renovation, repair and painting program and that the Washington programs provide adequate enforcement. The state programs are now in effect in lieu of the federal RRP program in that state, allowing for greater local oversight. For more information about Washington's new program, including information on applying for certification or to find training, contact Cynthia Sanderson, manager of lead programs for the state of Washington, cynthia.sanderson@commerce.wa.gov, or visit the state website.

2010

  • November 16, 2010: The State of Alabama became the tenth state in the nation to administer and enforce a Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program. This program mandates that contractors working in homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 be trained and certified in lead-safe work practices by the state of Alabama. Similar EPA requirements have been in place nationwide since April 22, 2010, but the Alabama program will operate in lieu of EPA's program in that state, allowing for greater local oversight. EPA's authorization of Alabama's program is based on the application letter from Alabama's Governor, Bob Riley, and a certification from the Attorney General, Troy King, that the Alabama program is at least as protective as the EPA RRP program and provides adequate enforcement. For more information about Alabama's new program, including information on applying for certification or finding training, contact the contact the Alabama Lead Program at 334-206-5373 or 205-348-4667, or visit the state website.
  • August 3, 2010: The American Bird Conservancy, the Association of Avian Veterinarians, and a number of other groups submitted a petition to EPA under section 21 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) asking EPA to "prohibit the manufacture, processing, and distribution in commerce of lead for shot, bullets, and fishing sinkers." Read more.
  • July 22, 2010: EPA announced the preliminary results of its effort to evaluate lead test kits under the Agency's Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) program. Learn more about the ETV results.
  • July 13, 2010: The State of Massachusetts became the ninth state in the nation to administer and enforce a Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program. This program mandates that contractors working in homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 be trained and certified in lead-safe work practices by the state of Massachusetts. Similar EPA requirements are in place nationwide, but the Massachusetts program will operate in lieu of EPA's program in that state, allowing for greater local oversight. EPA's authorization of Massachusetts' program is based on a certification from the Attorney General that the Massachusetts' program is at least as protective as the EPA RRP program and provides adequate enforcement. For more information about Massachusetts' new program, including information on applying for certification or finding training, contact the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety at 617-969-7177, or visit the state web site.
  • July 6, 2010: EPA announced a rule (PDF) (18 pp, 121K) that increases protections against lead-paint poisoning by eliminating the ability of owner-occupants of older housing to "opt-out" of having their contractors follow lead-safe work practices. Read the press release, and read more about the rule ending the opt-out provision.
  • July 2, 2010: EPA announced that it will extend the comment period for its proposed Lead Clearance rule until August 6. Under this proposal, renovation firms would have to perform dust wipe testing after certain renovations and provide the results of the testing to the owners and occupants of the building. Read the notice (PDF).
  • June 18, 2010: EPA is providing renovation firms and workers additional time to obtain necessary training and certifications to comply with its new lead rules. Read the enforcement guidance (PDF) and a set of frequent questions (PDF) .
  • May 3, 2010: Oregon became authorized to administer and enforce a Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program and a Pre-Renovation Education program. EPA's authorization of Oregon's program is based on the receipt of an application for authorization signed by Oregon's Governor certifying that the Oregon programs are at least as protective as the federal lead renovation, repair and painting (RRP) program and that the Oregon programs provide adequate enforcement. The programs are now in effect in lieu of the federal renovation programs. For more information about Oregon's program, including information on applying for certification or to find training, contact Richard Leiker, manager of lead programs for the state of Oregon, richard.d.leiker@state.or.us, or visit their website.
  • April 23, 2010: EPA moved expeditiously to process firm certification applications received by April 22, 2010. EPA is providing guidance to facilitate compliance and ease the transition period following the RRP rule's effective date. For more information, please see an Agency memo on implementation and a set of frequent questions.
  • April 23, 2010: EPA announced several new actions to prevent lead paint poisoning. Almost a million children have elevated blood lead levels as a result of exposure to lead hazards, which can lead to lower intelligence, learning disabilities, and behavior issues. In addition, adults exposed to lead hazards can suffer from high blood pressure, headaches, and memory loss. Children under six years old are most at risk. Read the press release. EPA announced these three actions:
    • A final rule to apply lead-safe work practices to all pre-1978 homes, effectively closing an exemption that was created in 2008. The rule will become effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
    • A notice of proposed rulemaking to require dust-wipe testing after most renovations and provide the results of the testing to the owners and occupants of the building. For some of these renovations, the proposal would require that lead dust levels after the renovation be below the regulatory hazard standards. EPA will take comment on the proposal for 60 days. The agency expects to finalize the rule by July 2011.
    • An advance notice of proposed rulemaking to announce EPA's intention to apply lead-safe work practices to renovations on public and commercial buildings. The advance notice also announces EPA's investigation into lead-based paint hazards that may be created by renovations on the interior of these public and commercial buildings. If EPA determines that lead-based paint hazards are created by interior renovations, EPA will propose regulations to address the hazards.
  • April 20, 2010: The State of Utah has become authorized to administer and enforce a Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program on April 8, 2010. This program mandates that contractors working in homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 be trained and certified in lead-safe work practices by the State of Utah. Similar EPA requirements will be in place nationwide by April 22, 2010, but the Utah program will operate in lieu of EPA's program in that state, allowing for greater local oversight. EPA's authorization of Utah's program is based on the receipt of an application from Governor Gary R. Herbert and a certification from Fred G. Nelson, Assistant Attorney General, that the Utah program is at least as protective as the EPA RRP program and provides adequate enforcement. For more information about Utah's program, including information on applying for certification or finding training, contact the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Air Quality, Lead-Based Paint Program at 801-536-4000, or visit the state web site.
  • April 20, 2010: EPA joined with the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Ad Council to sponsor a public service announcement advertising campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of lead poisoning to children. The ads, in English and Spanish, urged viewers to visit the campaign website or contact the lead hotline 1-800-424-LEAD to learn more.
  • April 20, 2010: The State of Rhode Island became the first New England state to administer and enforce a Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program. This program mandates that contractors working in homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 be trained and certified in lead-safe work practices by the state of Rhode Island. Similar EPA requirements will be in place nationwide by April 22, 2010, but the Rhode Island program will operate in lieu of EPA's program in that state, allowing for greater local oversight. EPA's authorization of Rhode Island's program is based on a certification from Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch on March 4, 2010, and Governor Donald L. Carcieri on April 9, 2010, that the Rhode Island program is at least as protective as the EPA RRP program and provides adequate enforcement. For more information about Rhode Island's program, including information on applying for certification or finding training, contact the Rhode Island Lead Program at 1-401-222-5960, or visit the state web site.
  • April 19, 2010: The State of Kansas has become the fifth state in the nation to administer and enforce a Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program. This program mandates that contractors working in homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 be trained and certified in lead-safe work practices by the state of Kansas. Similar EPA requirements will be in place nationwide by April 22, 2010, but the Kansas program will operate in lieu of EPA's program in that state, allowing for greater local oversight. EPA's authorization of the Kansas program is based on the receipt of an application from Governor Mark Parkinson and a certification from Camille Nohe, Assistant Attorney General, that the Kansas program is at least as protective as the EPA RRP program and provides adequate enforcement. For more information about Kansas' program, including information on applying for certification or finding training, contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Prevention Program, at 866-865-3233, or visit the state web site.
  • April 12, 2010: The State of Mississippi became authorized for the Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) program, upon the submittal of an Authorization Application and a letter requesting authorization from Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and a certification from the Special Assistant Attorney General, J. D. Woodcock, that the Mississippi program is at least as protective as the EPA RRP program and provides adequate enforcement. This will enable Mississippi to administer and enforce an RRP program. This program mandates that contractors working in homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 be trained and certified in lead-safe work practices by the state of Mississippi. Similar EPA requirements will be in place nationwide by April 22, 2010, but the Mississippi program will operate in lieu of EPA's program in that state, allowing for greater local oversight. For more information about Mississippi's program, including information on applying for certification or finding training, contact the Mississippi Lead Program at 601-961-5171 or visit the state website.
  • January 21, 2010: North Carolina became the third state in the nation to administer and enforce a Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program. This program mandates that contractors working in homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 be trained and certified in lead-safe work practices by the state of North Carolina. Similar EPA requirements will be in place nationwide by April 2010, but the North Carolina program will operate in lieu of EPA's program in that state, allowing for greater local oversight. EPA's authorization of North Carolina's program is based on the application letter from North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue and a certification from the Chief Deputy Attorney General, Grayson G. Kelley, that the North Carolina program is at least as protective as the EPA RRP program and provides adequate enforcement. For more information about North Carolina's program, including information on applying for certification or finding training, contact the North Carolina Lead Program at 919-707-5950 or visit the state website.
  • January 19, 2010: The State of Iowa became the second state in the nation to administer and enforce a Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program. This program mandates that contractors working in homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 be trained and certified in lead-safe work practices by the state of Iowa. Similar EPA requirements will be in place nationwide by April 2010, but the Iowa program will operate in lieu of EPA's program in that state, allowing for greater local oversight. EPA's authorization of Iowa's program is based on the receipt of an application from Governor Chet Culver and a certification from Heather Adams, Assistant Attorney General, that the Iowa program is at least as protective as the EPA RRP program and provides adequate enforcement. For more information about Iowa's program, including information on applying for certification or finding training, contact the Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Lead Poisoning Prevention at 800-972-2026, or visit the state web site.

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Last updated on April 24, 2026