The EPA today Friday, “[I]t is not necessary to impose new lead-dust sampling and laboratory analysis, known as the 'clearance requirements,' as part of the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (LRRP) rule.”

Most remodelers agree that this new rule, dubbed “lead clearance testing,” would add costs to jobs done on pre-1978 homes. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) has long argued that these higher costs actually put homeowners at risk since consumers choose to do the clearance work themselves or hire non-certified contractors.

This is a developing story. For more information go to EPA’s Lead in the News page at http://www.epa.gov/lead/new.htm. – Stacey Freed is senior editor of Remodeling magazine.