Thursday, June 17, 2010

Lead RRP - Opt-Out Provision REMOVED

On May 6th, 2010, the EPA announced is was removing the Opt-Out Provision from the newly effective Renovation, Repair and Painting Program, better known as RRP. The effective date is July 6th 2010

Shortly after promulgating the RRP rule, the Opt-Out provision was challenged by a lawsuit. EPA decided to settle, and as part of it's settlement, EPA agreed to remove the Opt-Out provision. Citing the Federal Register,
After further consideration of the opt-out provision, the Agency believes it is in the best interest of the public to remove the provision. EPA believes that the opt-out provision is not suffciently protective for children under age 6 and pregnant women, because it does not provide protection from improperly performed renovations for visiting children and pregnant women; for children and pregnant women who move into a newly purchased house that was recently renovated under the opt-out provision; and for children and pregnant women who live adjacent to a home where the exterior is being renovated under the opt-out provision.


Also in these ammendments are changes to the record keeping and reporting requirements. The Certified Firm must make all records required per Section 745.86(c) and (d) available to the owner, occupant, tenants, or parents and gaurdians.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

EPA Extends Comment Period on ANPRM for Changes to PCB Regulations

On April 7, 2010, the EPA issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking affecting the PCB Regulations under TSCA. Comments were to be recieved by July 6th but have been extended to August 20, 2010.

EPA is reassessing the regs to address:
  • The use, distrubution in commerce, marking, and storage for reuse of liquid PCB's in electric and non-electric equipment
  • The use of 50 ppm for excluded products
  • The use of non-liquid PCB's
  • The use and distribution in commerce of PCB's in porous surfaces
  • and the marking of PCB articles in use

EPA is really taking a hard look at these regulations; citing aging equipment, spills, and international developments as their reasons. PCB laden caulk is discussed, and EPA is seeking comments on whether 50ppm should be used as the level for excluded products.

See the Federal Register April 7th, 2010, Vol. 75, No. 66