[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20034]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 16, 1994]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPPTS-62133A; FRL-4906-8]

 

Lead Hazard Information Pamphlet; Notice of Public Meeting

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: On March 9, 1994, EPA issued a notice announcing the 
availability of its draft lead hazard information pamphlet, entitled 
Lead-Based Paint: Protect Your Children, for public review and comment. 
The pamphlet, required under section 406(a) of the Residential Lead-
Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, will be distributed to owners 
and occupants of pre-1978 housing before the commencement of 
renovations by paid renovators, and will be distributed to purchasers 
and lessees of pre-1978 housing before sale or lease. The comment 
period for the pamphlet closed on May 9, 1994. Based on the comments 
received, and on information obtained during focus group tests in 
several cities, EPA has revised the pamphlet. In the spirit of 
maximizing responsiveness to the general public and regulated 
community, EPA is scheduling a public meeting to augment the publics' 
opportunity to provide input on the pamphlet. Because of the time 
constraints imposed by the statutory deadline, however, no additional 
comment period will be allowed beyond the public meeting date.

DATES: The meeting will take place on August 29, 1994, from 9 a.m. to 
noon. Written requests to participate in the meeting must be received 
no later than August 30, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the EPA auditorium at 401 M St., 
SW., Washington, DC 20460. The request to participate in the meeting, 
identified with docket number OPPTS-62133A must be submitted to: TSCA 
Docket Receipt (7407), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, NE- 
G99, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 
20460. Requests for a waiver to participate in the meeting by those 
organizations that did not file main comments must be sent to EPA 
Headquarters Hearing Clerk, Mail Code 1900, 401 M St., SW., Washington, 
DC 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Franklin, Program Development 
Branch, Chemical Management Division (7404), Office of Pollution 
Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., 
Washington, DC 20460, Telephone: (202) 260-1781.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Meeting Participation

    Each person or organization desiring to participate in the public 
meeting must file a written request to TSCA Docket Receipt at the 
address listed above. The request must be received by the Agency no 
later than August 30, 1994.
    An impartial moderator shall preside at the meeting, on behalf of a 
panel of EPA representatives, and solicit feedback on a revised draft 
pamphlet. Individuals will also receive an opportunity to leave 
informal written comments on specific issue areas.
    Following the public meeting, EPA will consider the feedback 
provided and develop the final version of the pamphlet. Attendees of 
the meeting will receive notification of the final pamphlet's 
availability. Individuals and organizations who are unable to attend 
the meeting may request inclusion on the final mailing list by mailing 
a request, including name, organization, and mailing information, to 
Charles Franklin at the address listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.

II. Background

    Under the Congressional mandate in section 406(a) of TSCA, EPA has 
developed a lead hazard information pamphlet, for use in association 
with several regulations mandated by the Residential Lead-Based Paint 
Hazard Reduction Act [Pub. L. 105-550]. As required by the statute, EPA 
is developing the pamphlet in consultation with the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development (HUD).
    Section 406(a) of TSCA also requires that EPA issue the pamphlet 
for notice and comment. EPA issued a notice in the Federal Register of 
March 9, 1994 (59 FR 11119), announcing the draft pamphlet's 
availability for public comment. EPA made the draft pamphlet available 
through the National Lead Information Clearinghouse, as well as the 
TSCA Docket. During the 60-day public comment period, 69 parties 
submitted comments. EPA also conducted a series of focus group tests in 
five different cities, Atlanta, GA, Birmingham, AL, Chicago, IL, 
Hayward, CA, and Washington, DC. EPA has used these focus tests to 
solicit general feedback on the presentation of the material from 
individuals with a high school education or lower. The results of the 
focus tests, combined with the technical and stylistic comments 
provided by the public commenters, will help EPA develop a final 
pamphlet that meets the informational needs of a broad range of 
readers.

III. Role of Pamphlet

    This pamphlet will be disseminated as a result of several 
Congressional directives that will be implemented in separate 
rulemaking initiatives.
    Section 406(b) of TSCA requires that EPA promulgate regulations 
requiring each person who performs for compensation a renovation of 
target housing to provide a lead hazard information pamphlet to the 
owner(s) and occupant(s) of such housing prior to commencing the 
renovation. In addition, this pamphlet may be used by other Federal 
Programs to support their educational and outreach goals and 
obligations. EPA issued proposed regulations under section 406(b) on 
March 9, 1994 (59 FR 11108), for a 60-day public comment period that 
closed on May 9, 1994. EPA is currently reviewing public comments and 
preparing the final rulemaking.
    Section 1012 of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction 
Act (also known as ``Title X'') requires that the Department of Housing 
and Urban Development (HUD) provide the pamphlet to purchasers and 
tenants of housing receiving Federal assistance. These regulations are 
under development by HUD.
    Section 1018 of Title X requires that EPA and HUD promulgate 
regulations requiring sellers or lessors of target housing to provide 
purchasers and lessees with the lead hazard information pamphlet. EPA 
and HUD expect to issue the proposed regulations for this rulemaking in 
late summer or early fall of 1994. Commenters should be aware, however, 
that comments received on the pamphlet during the comment period for 
the proposed section 1018 regulation will not be used in developing the 
final draft of the pamphlet, due by October 28, 1994. Where 
appropriate, EPA may consider those comments when developing subsequent 
revisions to the pamphlet, as authorized by section 406 of TSCA.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Lead.

    Dated: August 9, 1994.
Joseph A. Carra,
Acting Director, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics.

[FR Doc. 94-20034 Filed 8-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F