AGC Supports Agency Move Towards Greater Transparency in Regulatory Science
The to lower the dust-lead hazard standard on floors and window sills (from 40 渭g/ft2 and 250 渭g/ft2 to 10 渭g/ft2 and 100 渭g/ft2, respectively). At the same time, EPA proposed no changes to the current definition of lead-based paint, and indicated that the standard would not apply to future 鈥渃learance testing鈥 efforts, citing insufficient information to warrant such changes. In an August 16 comment letter, AGC agreed that EPA currently lacks sufficient data to change the existing lead-based paint definition or the post-abatement dust clearance levels.
AGC鈥檚 letter points out that EPA appropriately recognized that more data and information is needed on whether current EPA-recognized laboratories and portable field technologies can reliably measure dust samples at those lower levels. AGC supports EPA鈥檚 approach to acknowledging data gaps and the resultant impacts on agency decision-making, which is in keeping with EPA鈥檚 broader effort to improve the transparency and integrity of the scientific data. The proposed standards would apply to EPA鈥檚 lead abatement and related programs that cover target housing (i.e., most pre-1978 housing) and pre-1978 child occupied facilities. Apart from child occupied facilities, no other public and commercial buildings are covered by EPA鈥檚 lead paint program.
For more information, contact Leah Pilconis at pilconisl@agc.org or (703) 837-5332.