Lead Exposure and Contamination: Understanding the EPA’s New RRP Program

RRP项目背景

TheConsumer Product Safety Commissionofficially banned lead as an additive to paint in 1978, a few short years after the phasing out of leaded gasoline. However, approximately 37 million homes (as of 2005–2006）仍然有含铅油漆，并根据Centers for Disease Control and Prevention（CDC），一些孩子310000（一个5岁之间）有血铅水平升高（eblls）。虽然它不是对谁都不好摄入铅，这是特别严重的，以6岁以下儿童，其发展可以通过它的存在受到严重损害。这是由EPA努力的动力。

然而,铅的存在本身并不是一个danger, a fact not disputed by the EPA itself. Years of repainting have effectively encapsulated the lead, and it poses little health risk. It is when the leaded paint surface deteriorates, chips, and peels that it becomes a risk. Moreover, when the dust created by moving parts rubbing together, such as windows and doors, gathers on windowsills and floors, it becomes a risk as well. Homeowners are the first line of defense inprotecting children against lead poisoningby properly maintaining绘surfaces and keeping dust buildup in these hotspots to a minimum. Remember, it's not the lead so much as the dust, which is created not only through deterioration and wear but disturbance as well.

RRP计划指南

The RRP rule took effect on April 22, 2010. From that date forward, all contractors who will disturb more than 6 sq. ft. of interior or 20 sq. ft. of exterior painted surface must be certified on the methods of establishing a safe work environment, reducing dust creation and controlling its migration, and proper clean-up of any dust created. Certification mandates and requires the ability to test for the presence of lead in the specified workspace; the distribution of certain informational pamphlets, which requires getting the signature of the homeowner; and testing upon completion. Contractors must also supply their certification credentials. The RRP rule covers all homes built prior to 1978 found to contain lead. Further, any commercial facility that is occupied or visited by children under the age of six or by pregnant women must comply with the RRP rule. Although the RRP rule allows certain exceptions, the best practice is to discuss the use and visitation patterns of your home or facility with a certified renovator to determine how to proceed. The RRP initially contained an opt-out, but pressure from interest groups had that removed.

该RRP规则的目的，是令人钦佩的，值得：没有人愿意看到孩子受罪铅中毒。然而，与大多数联邦法规中，EPA是灭火用消防水带的匹配。为了解决环境铅暴露的问题，我们都必须接受我们在它的存在发挥的作用。宽松的承包商做伪劣装修肯定促成了问题，创建怨恨的合法承包商意义上的事实。

然而，房主谁做自己的装修也有利于环境的铅暴露的问题，并根据RRP规则，他们是从合规的约束。美国环保局先后出版了“引入安全指南翻新权”这商必须分配到1978年之前建造的房屋的业主本指南建议与问题，任何房主拨打全国上那个时代的家庭装修开始之前，铅信息中心（1-800-424-LEAD）。在经济紧缩时期，并考虑到不断增长的DIY心态，越来越多的房主都选择来解决入户工程，并因缺乏了解，可以延续暴露在环境中的铅。这个问题可以通过围绕遵守规则RRP和整修附带雇用认证的专业人员的成本大幅增加的并发症加剧。

Cost Involved in Compliance

What will that cost and complication be? The EPA predicts that compliance will add an incremental cost of $8–$124 to every job. Although it's early, indications are that this estimate barely covers the costs of the materials and equipment required, let alone the manpower costs. According to Tom Kellogg, owner ofKellogg's Painting在利兹，纽约，独自一个家庭外部的检测试剂盒可以花费$ 250;凯洛格说，这个数字不包括他花在测试和补充说，这笔费用来他得到这份工作之前的时间成本。他进一步解释说，对于1500-2500平方英尺的家外，合规性所增加的成本范围从$ 750到$ 1,200，这是他数字是18％左右。这是不是出于与我已经非正式地从我见到了承包，谁加入15％-20％成本的说话听百分比线。

Beyond cost, homeowners whose renovations will include lead remediation should be prepared to completely forgo the use of the area(s) involved until completion; vacating the premises may be necessary. As an experienced contractor, I can tell you that these estimates represent only the preliminary costs; these will rise as the EPA tightens the rule, liabilities mount, and the supply of contractors shrinks. Many are opting out of work on all pre-1978 projects. Moreover, the inconvenience is not going to go over well.

Going Forward

环保署可能通过推出更积极的教育活动，如果减少铅的含量是他们的关心更有效地采取行动，特别是因为这个问题慢慢消失，因为我们从2​​0世纪70年代以来得到进一步的油漆和天然气铅禁令。血铅水平升高（eblls）已经从88％上世纪70年代去了1.6％，在2005年，根据USA Today; much of this decrease can be attributed to the ban on leaded gas. However, according to theFederal Register“血铅水平关心的CDC水平以上的儿童的估计比例从4.4％1991年至1994年间下降至1.6％，2003年和2004年之间。”在这个群体中的下降可以归因于在暴露于含铅涂料的下降。我们知道那里的目标人群定位，以及教育和住房法规更严格的执行将大大减少1.6％。承包公司专业从事环保整治铅不是新的，并通知和有关业主一直在寻找出来好几年了。作为知识传播，更多的房主将提出问题并要求这些公司。随着这种需求的增加，更多的企业将寻求将符合所RRP规则。迫使每个人都在同一个市场上可能只会导致混乱和效率低下。

暂时的RRP规则是和我们在一起。同样，我们这些生活在1978年以前建造的房屋可以与全国铅信息中心线上或者在1-800-424-LEAD找出何处以及如何开始。他们还可以提供关于可能的财政援助信息。我强烈鼓励大家受RRP规则开展环境铅暴露和污染，以及基本RRP遵守措施呀。你要知道无论是承包商，向你付出的知识和成果溢价由谁，实际执行完全符合工作或只是假装喜欢它。