Experts Endorse Lower Lead-Poisoning Threshold

OK, lead can be dangerous, I get it. But I think the government is overly obsessed with this. 250 thousand cases a year and based on most articles almost exclusively in dilapidated, center city apartment buildings. Yet the EPA introduces, with little fanfare, it's new "lead-safe" construction rules last year. This is a ruse to "protect the public"! I have been in the painting and home repair business for nearly 30 years. I do not know, or know of, or know anyone who knows of, someone who has lead poisoning. These regulations will add hundreds, if not thousands, to the cost of any job that should fall under these guidelines. There will be no benefit to the people who really need the held. The slumlords responsible for renting these dilapidated buildings to poor people and crack addicts will NOT comply. The only benefit will accrue to the EPA in the manner of fines, as much as $35,000 per occurrence. I won't be following these stupid rules, in fact I will likely decline any work on homes older than 1978 unless they are hidden on some back road.

Chris of NC 8:36AM January 07, 2012