NAHB Call to Action: Lead Exposure Reduction

Urge your Senators to Co-sponsor S. 2148, the Lead Exposure Reduction Amendments Act of 2012
Write your Senators at www.capitolconnect.com/BuilderLink

On March 1, 2012 Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) introduced S. 2148, the Lead Exposure Reduction Amendments Act of 2012. This piece of legislation improves the Lead: Renovation, Repair, and Painting rule (RRP) which has hampered the home building industry with burdensome compliance costs.

The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the RRP rule establishing new requirements for contractors and remodelers working in homes built before 1978. The rule prescribes a series of work practices and contractor certification requirements as a way to address impacts associated with the disturbance of lead-painted surfaces in older housing. Specifically designed to address potential lead exposures to children under six years of age and pregnant women, the RRP rule requires contractors and remodelers working in older homes to obtain certification from the EPA.

This legislation will restore the "Opt-Out Provision" from the RRP rule which allowed homeowners without children under six or pregnant women residing in the home to allow their contractor to forego the use of lead-safe work practices. By restoring the “opt-out provision”, it will eliminate unnecessary regulations and compliance costs. The savings to the industry will be upwards of $336 million per year.

S. 2148, the Lead Exposure Reduction Amendments Act of 2012 addresses the impracticality of the RRP rule and offers solutions to these obstacles.

Click here for the one page summary of S. 2148.

Call to Action:

• Urge your Senators to co-sponsor S. 2148, the Lead Exposure Reduction Amendments Act of 2012;
• Write your Senators at www.capitolconnect.com/BuilderLink.

If you have any questions or feedback on this issue, please email BuilderLink@nahb.org.