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Wisconsin Institutes EPA Lead Programs

Friday, November 20, 2009

Wisconsin has become the first state authorized to administer and enforce the U.S. EPA’s impending lead-safe rules for contractors.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has authorized two Wisconsin programs: the Pre-Renovation Education program and the Lead-based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting program.

The programs support the EPA’s impending Renovation, Repair and Painting rule, which mandates training and licensing in lead-safe work practices for construction contractors, property managers and others that work in homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978.

The rule will be fully implemented in April 2010.

Gov. James E. Doyle has certified that the Wisconsin programs, to be administered by the division of public health, are at least as protective as EPA’s and provide adequate enforcement.
 
The Lead-based Paint Pre-Renovation Education program requires construction contractors, property managers and others that perform renovations for compensation to distribute the lead-safety pamphlet Renovate Right; Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools to owners and occupants before starting renovation work.  
  
“We commend Wisconsin for taking the initiative to prevent further lead poisoning by ensuring that work that disturbs paint is done in a lead-safe manner,” said Bharat Mathur, acting administrator for EPA Region 5.

“We are very pleased to be implementing these lead-safe renovation programs in Wisconsin,” said Karen Timberlake, Wisconsin Department of Public Health secretary. “Renovators and rental property owners play a big part in protecting children from lead-based paint hazards in their homes. With the training and lead-safe work practices implemented with these programs, they will make even more, older Wisconsin homes safe for children.”
 
Lead-contaminated dust is the most significant source of lead exposure for children. Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children. Lead-based paint was used in more than 38 million homes until it was banned for residential use in 1978.
 
For more information about the EPA program, visit http://www.epa.gov/lead or call 800-424-LEAD (5323).  For more information about Wisconsin’s new program, including information on applying for certification or locating training, contact the Wisconsin Lead Program at 608-261-6876, or visit http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/lead.