The Environmental Protection Agency issued a new rule on December 29 to help prevent lead poisoning in children but instead will delay renovation projects and increase costs.
The rule applies to those who work on homes built prior to 1978 and brings change among to the usual training, licensing and insurance requirements for contractors. It is likely that fewer firms will continue work on these older homes, which in turn will limit the availability of construction professionals and increase costs.
“There is no scientific research that shows remodeling causes lead poisoning,” says Bob Hanbury, past chair of the National Association of Home Builders’ Remodelors Council. “Federal efforts should focus on finding the sources of lead exposure — usually tap water, peeling paint or contaminated soil or dust — and developing ways to mitigate that exposure. Instead, this rule concentrates on expensive restrictions that only affect the cost of remodeling.”
EPA and NAHB disclosed a voluntary program, a Lead Safety Partnership program, just before the 2005 International Builders Show. EPA withdrew the program last May with no explanation. NAHB believes voluntary effective education for consumers would create a more affordable market for lead-safe work practices. For more information, visit NAHB’s web site at www.nahb.com.