The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed stringent new requirements for removal of lead-based paint dust in school facilities and day care centers built before 1978 and used by children younger than 6 years old.
In unveiling the new proposed regulations, EPA administrator Michal Freedhoff said, “There is no safe level of lead,” according to the New York Times.
The new regulations would require building owners to proactively test for levels of lead dust. If any lead dust at all is found, the building owner would be required to pay for abatement. Lead dust often lingers even after lead paint is removed. The current hazardous standard for lead dust is 10 micrograms per square foot for floors and 100 micrograms per square foot for window sills. But the proposed regulation would move both those numbers to zero.
The proposed rule will be open for public comment for 60 days.
According to Grist, many environmental organizations, including Earthjustice, hailed the new proposed regulation as a significant step forward to protect children.
Greg Zimmerman is senior contributing editor for FacilitiesNet.com and Building Operating Management magazine.
