![[logo] US EPA](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090514233801im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Regulatory Status of Waste Generated by Contractors and Residents from Lead-Based Paint Activities Conducted in Households (August 2000)
Agency Policy
Aiming to further reduce lead poisoning in children, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has clarified that contractors can manage residential lead-based paint (LBP) waste as household waste. Allowing LBP waste to be managed this way makes it more affordable for people to reduce lead in and around their homes.
Contractor Waste
Residential contractors frequently work on residential dwellings like single family homes, apartment buildings, row houses, military barracks, or college dormitories. They routinely generate LBP waste during lead abatement, remodeling, or rehabilitation work on these residences. The waste consists mostly of building parts, such as doors, window frames, painted woodwork, and paint chips. Because the standards were unclear, contractors who needed to dispose of lead-based paint waste were uncertain about how to properly manage it.
EPA's policy statement allows contractor-generated LBP waste to be disposed of as household waste. Household waste is regular garbage or trash that is disposed of as municipal waste, and managed according to state and local requirements. Residents are already entitled to manage their own LBP waste in this manner. Extending this option to contractors simplifies abatement work and lowers its cost, which will allow more lead paint removal from more homes nationwide. Consequently, people's homes everywhere will be safer for both children and adults.
Safe Handling
EPA encourages everyone who handles lead-based paint to follow several common sense measures:
The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) contains training and certification requirements that contractors also should learn and follow. These requirements are under TSCA 402/404, and can be found on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadcert.htm. Note also that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) established guidelines for contractors performing lead-based paint activities (see http://www.hud.gov/offices/lead).Collect paint chips, dust, dirt, and rubble in plastic trash bags for disposal. Store larger LBP building parts in containers until ready for disposal. If possible, use a covered mobile dumpster (such as a roll-off container) to store LBP debris until the job is done. Contact local solid waste authorities to determine where and how LBP debris can be disposed of.
Proposed TSCA Standards
EPA intends to pursue additional measures to promote LBP abatement activities. For example, in 1998 the Agency proposed new standards under TSCA that would replace existing Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste regulations covering the disposal of LBP. This change, if adopted, would provide greater waste management flexibility and efficiency in numerous circumstances where lead-based paint is generated. Full details of the LBP proposal are available at www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leaddebr.htm.
For More Information
For general information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards, call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424 LEAD (5323). You may also obtain information by calling the RCRA Hotline. Callers within the Washington Metropolitan Area must dial 703-412-9810 or TDD 703-412-3323 (hearing impaired). Long-distance callers may call 1-800-424- 9346 or TDD 1-800-553-7672. The RCRA Hotline operates weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Write to the RCRA Information Center (5305W), US EPA, Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460.
EPA Memorandum: Regulatory Status of Waste Generated by Contractors and Residents from Lead-Based Paint Activities Conducted in Households - signed July 31, 2000 (PDF) (5 pp, 15K, About PDF)