Lead in the News

October 2004

• Celebrate National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week from October 24-30, 2004, to promote awareness of the dangers of lead exposure. This year's theme, "Shut The Door on Lead Poisoning," highlights the importance of educating parents and children about the dangers of lead-paint hazards in housing. As part of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, many States and communities plan to offer free lead screening, and to conduct various education and awareness events. More information about activities in your area...

August 2004

• Apply and Pay On-Line to Become Certified to Conduct Lead-Based Paint Activities -- Applying to become a certified lead-based paint activities firm just got easier. Firms wishing to become certified can now apply and make payment on-line. All you need to do to start the process is click here http://cdx.epa.gov (or paste the link into your browser if you can’t click on it). You will need to go through a one-time on-line registration process. Upon successful completion of the registration process you will be able to access the on-line application form and submit payment. For additional information about on-line submissions, please refer to the "Frequently Asked Questions" about this program.
  

July 2004

• New Lead Abatement Worker Model Training Courses -- EPA has revised the lead abatement worker training course. The revised materials offer improved clarity and include other minor editorial changes. The Agency is also releasing a Spanish edition of the training course, which will expand training opportunities in many communities.
  

June 2004

• EPA is soliciting grant proposals from Indian Tribes to support lead outreach and educational awareness, and to conduct baseline assessment of existing exposure and risks of exposure to lead poisoning of Tribal children. EPA is awarding grants which will provide approximately $1.2 million to Indian Tribes to perform those activities and to encourage Indian Tribes to consider continuing such activities in the future. The 1. April 28, 2004 Federal Register Notice describes eligibility, activities, application procedures and requirements, and evaluation criteria. Deadline for proposals is June 28, 2004.
  
  Note: All environmental or health related measurements or data generation must adequately address the requirements of 40 CFR 31.45 related to quality assurance/quality control. To begin the process of developing the quality assurance documentation, Tribes may choose to use this helpful template. Information on EPA Quality Assurance requirements may be downloaded from the EPA Quality System web site.
  

April 2004

• Now available, new interpretive guidance for the lead-based paint training and certification program (402/404). Topics covered include: applicability to U.S. military bases/facilities outside U.S. borders; certification requirements for Federal agencies that conduct certain lead-based paint activities; and clarifying the regulatory implications of testing for lead paint versus performing a lead-based paint inspection. More...
  
  
• EPA published a final rule that establishes notification procedures for certified lead abatement professionals and accredited training programs. The rule requires that EPA be notified in the following situations: 1) prior to the commencement of lead-based paint abatement activities, 2) prior to providing initial or refresher lead-based paint activities training courses, and 3) following completion of lead-based paint activities training courses. This rule applies only in States and Tribal areas that do not have authorized programs pursuant to 40 CFR 745.324. For further information regarding the authorization status of States and Indian Tribes contract the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) at 1-800-424-LEAD. More....

March 2004

• 2004 guidance for the 404(g) grants program is now available. EPA provides these grants to States, Tribes and Territories to develop and carry out authorized training and certification, and pre-renovation education programs. This guidance describes the purpose of the grants; explains what entities are eligible to apply; outlines what activities can be funded; explains how the funds will be awarded and distributed; discusses grant application submission requirements; and summarizes the grant reporting requirements.