[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 147 (Tuesday, August 1, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39167-39169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18875]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPPTS-62149; FRL-4966-6]


Lead Hazard Information Pamphlet; Notice of Availability

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of the joint EPA and 
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) final Lead Hazard Information 
Pamphlet entitled ``Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home'' 
(formerly entitled: ``Lead-Based Paint: Protect Your Family'') for 
public distribution. EPA developed this Pamphlet in response to 
Congressional concerns about the public's knowledge of lead-based paint 
hazards in the home. The Pamphlet was developed pursuant to section 
406(a) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), after consultation 
with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and CPSC. After 
extensive product testing and public review, EPA, in consultation with 
cooperating Federal agencies, has developed a final draft and is 
beginning efforts to distribute the pamphlet to the general public.

DATES: Copies of the Lead Hazard Information Pamphlet will be available 
August 1995.

ADDRESSES: Single copies of the pamphlet may be obtained by calling the 
National Lead Information Clearinghouse (NLIC) at 1-800-424-LEAD or 
TDD: 1-800-526-5456, or the EPA Public Information Center at (202) 260-
2080.
    Multiple copies are available through the Government Printing 
Office (GPO). The public may order by calling the GPO Order Desk at 
(202) 512-1800, faxing (202) 512-2233, or writing to Superintendent of 
Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. Request the 
publication by title, ``Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home,'' 
and/or GPO stock number 055-000-00507-9. The price is $26.00 per pack 
of 50 copies. The Pamphlet may be reproduced by an individual or 
corporation without permission from EPA or CPSC.
    Organizations that wish to reprint may obtain negatives and/or 
black and white reproducible copy from NLIC at 1-800-424-LEAD. The 
pamphlet is available electronically, and may be accessed through the 
Internet at: gopher.epa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on lead 
poisoning prevention, call the National Lead Hotline at 1-800-LEAD-FYI 
or TDD: 1-800-526-5456, or the TSCA Hotline at (202) 554-1404 or TDD: 
(202) 554-0551. For specific questions on lead hazard information, call 
the National Lead Information Clearinghouse, 1-800-424-LEAD or TDD: 1-
800-526-5456. For technical information contact: Paula Moser, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pollution Prevention and 
Toxics, (7404), 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460, Telephone: (202) 
260-1865, Fax: (202) 260-0770, or Ken Giles, Consumer Product Safety 
Commission, Office of Public Affairs, 4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, 
MD 20814, Telephone (301) 504-0580, Fax: (301) 504-0862.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Under the Congressional mandate in section 406(a) of TSCA, EPA has 
developed a final lead hazard information pamphlet. Congress 
specifically required that the pamphlet: (1) Contain information 
regarding the health risks associated with exposure to lead; (2) 
provide information on the presence of lead-based paint hazards in 
Federally-assisted, Federally-owned, and target housing; (3) describe 
the risks of lead exposure for children under 6 years of age, pregnant 
women, women of childbearing age, persons involved in home renovation 
(of target housing), and others residing in a dwelling with lead-based 
paint hazards; (4) describe the risks of renovation in a dwelling with 
lead-based paint hazards; (5) provide information on approved methods 
for evaluating and reducing lead-based paint hazards and their 
effectiveness in identifying, reducing, eliminating, or preventing 
exposure to lead-based paint hazards; (6) advise persons how to obtain 
a list of contractors certified pursuant to TSCA section 402 in lead-
based paint hazard evaluation and reduction in the area in which the 
pamphlet is to be used; (7) state that a risk assessment or inspection 
for lead-based paint is recommended prior to the purchase, lease, or 
renovation of target housing; (8) state that certain State and local 
laws impose additional requirements related to lead-based paint in 
housing and provide a listing of Federal, State, and local agencies in 
each State, including address and telephone number, that can provide 
information about applicable laws and available governmental and 
private assistance and financing; and (9) provide such other 
information about environmental hazards associated with residential 
real property as the Administrator deems appropriate.
    EPA and HUD will distribute this pamphlet under several 
Congressional directives that will be implemented in separate 
rulemaking initiatives. Section 406(b) of TSCA requires that EPA 
promulgate regulations requiring each 

[[Page 39168]]
person who performs a renovation of target housing for compensation to 
provide a lead hazard information pamphlet to the owner(s) and 
occupant(s) of such housing prior to commencing the renovation.
    Section 1012 of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction 
Act requires that HUD provide the pamphlet to purchasers and tenants of 
housing receiving Federal assistance. Section 1018 of that Act 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.
    These different regulations are currently under development and 
will be announced in the Federal Register when completed. In addition 
to its regulatory distribution, this pamphlet will be used by other 
Federal programs to support their educational and outreach goals and 
obligations. CPSC, a cosponsor of the pamphlet, will distribute the 
pamphlet to interested parties through its ongoing outreach efforts. 
This pamphlet will also become an information resource for families 
through the National Lead Information Center and other Federal 
information outlets.

II. EPA's Development Process

A. Interagency Consultation

    Throughout development of the draft and final pamphlet, EPA has 
worked closely with other interested Federal agencies, including HUD, 
CDC, CPSC, and the 14 other agencies involved in the Federal 
Interagency Task Force on Lead Poisoning Prevention.

B. Public Review and Comment

    EPA developed a draft pamphlet and released it for a 60-day public 
comment period on March 9, 1994 (59 FR 11119), generating feedback from 
approximately 70 public commenters. These comments addressed stylistic, 
editorial, and policy concerns. All comments received have been placed 
into the public docket and are available for public review in the TSCA 
Nonconfidential Information Center (NCIC) from noon to 4 p.m, Monday 
through Friday, excluding legal holidays. TSCA NCIC is located at EPA 
Headquarters, Rm. NE-B607, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC.

C. Targeted Focus Tests and Interviews

    EPA also conducted focus tests to obtain feedback on the pamphlet's 
readability within lower reading-level audiences. EPA conducted these 
tests during the spring and summer of 1994 in five cities: Mobile, AL, 
Haywood, CA, Washington, DC, Atlanta, GA, and Chicago, IL. The tests 
consisted of moderated group discussions and one-on-one interviews 
which allowed EPA to probe for areas in the pamphlet that needed 
simplification, clarification, or rewording. EPA targeted lower 
reading-level audiences in recognition that such audiences typically 
have the greatest trouble benefiting from written health information, 
are least able to participate in traditional public review and comment 
periods, and may also be at special risk of lead hazard exposure. The 
focus tests proved valuable in providing comments on specific words, 
phrases, and graphics, and in providing overall impressions of the 
draft pamphlet's strengths and weaknesses. EPA has placed summaries and 
background materials from the focus tests into the public docket.

D. Informal Public Meeting

    On August 29, 1994, EPA held an informal public meeting in 
Washington, DC after publishing a notice in the Federal Register (59 FR 
42043) and notifying all initial commenters. The meeting, which was 
moderated by an impartial facilitator, probed the attendants for 
comments on various aspects of a revised draft pamphlet using many of 
the same questions posed to focus group participants. Attendants at the 
meeting represented a wide range of views and backgrounds. A written 
verbatim transcription of the meeting is available for review in the 
public docket.

III. Summary of Key Comments and Changes

    During the public comment period, focus tests, and the public 
meeting, EPA received hundreds of comments and recommendations for 
improving the pamphlet, covering editorial, layout, graphics, and 
policy recommendations. EPA and consulting agencies have considered all 
comments in developing this revised pamphlet. A Response to Comments 
Document is available for review in the public docket. Below is a 
summary of some of the key points raised and changes to the pamphlet.
    1. Pamphlet layout/design/format. EPA received many comments 
concerning the draft pamphlet's length, reading level and overall 
design. To respond to these concerns EPA has shortened the length of 
the pamphlet by 10 pages and completely redesigned the graphic look and 
layout of the final pamphlet. This redesign includes making better use 
of artwork, bold fonts, bullets, and sidebars to emphasize key messages 
and highlight important information.
    EPA has also lowered the reading level of the pamphlet overall and 
has simplified the wording wherever possible. The new draft provides 
pages at the beginning and end of the pamphlet summarizing/emphasizing 
key points and messages and action items for reader consideration. 
Using these different techniques, EPA and CPSC believe that the revised 
pamphlet provides varying levels of detail to different audiences, 
depending on their education and areas of interest. At all levels of 
the pamphlets detail, however, EPA and CPSC have sought to reinforce 
the prevention theme of the document.
    Recognizing that private reproduction of the pamphlet will be a key 
mechanism for distribution, EPA has resized the pamphlet to use a 5\1/
2\ x 8\1/2\ format to facilitate photocopy reproduction using regular 
8\1/2\ x 11 paper. In addition to providing color negatives to private 
entities that wish to reproduce the pamphlet in color, EPA is also 
releasing black and white camera-ready copy of the pamphlet available 
for photocopy and print reproduction. To further encourage such 
reproduction, EPA has also added space on the back cover for names and 
contact information of organizations that reprint and distribute the 
pamphlet.
    2. Role of qualified professionals in reducing lead hazards. 
Several commenters suggested that the pamphlet address the role 
certified professionals should play in identifying and reducing lead 
hazards under future Federal regulations. Recognizing that the pamphlet 
will be distributed in advance of the completion of Federal training 
and certification standards for lead workers, the pamphlet focuses on 
the use of lead hazard reduction professionals ``with special training 
for correcting lead problems'' rather than requiring the use of 
certified contractors, which may not be available in many States. The 
pamphlet does, however, acknowledge that a certification program is 
being put into place and that persons are encouraged to use certified 
lead abatement contractors where possible.
    3. Detail of discussion of lead hazard evaluation and reduction 
techniques. Feedback from public commenters and focus test participants 
indicated that much of the discussion of lead hazard evaluation and 
reduction methods was too detailed and technical to serve the 
pamphlet's general purpose. At the same time, many commenters 
recommended that the pamphlet include additional discussion of the 
difference between risk assessments and inspections as well as the 
differences between abatement and interim 

[[Page 39169]]
controls. Recognizing that the concepts of risk assessment versus 
inspection and abatement versus interim controls are crucial 
distinctions for future hazard reduction efforts, EPA has added 
language clarifying these terms. However, EPA has also removed much of 
the more technical discussion of the specific steps involved in each 
activity. This revised language more effectively accomplishes the 
pamphlets goal of providing homeowners and occupants with an 
understanding of the key concepts and activities in reducing their risk 
of lead hazard exposure.
    4. Testing/screening children for lead. EPA received considerable 
comment on appropriate recommendation language for childhood testing 
and screening. EPA has worked closely with CDC to analyze these 
comments and to develop revised testing and screening language that is 
fully consistent with CDC guidelines and also understandable for lay 
readers.
    5. Developing workable effective day-to-day cleaning measures. A 
number of commenters suggested modifications to simple steps 
recommended for reducing lead hazards in housing. In particular, 
commenters identified potential issues related to recommending 
trisodium phosphate (TSP) or other high phosphate cleaning products for 
regular cleaning on all surfaces. In consultation with other Federal 
agencies, EPA has revised the recommendations to place the focus more 
on day-to-day types of home maintenance activities that can be 
effective at reducing, but not eliminating, lead hazard when conducted 
regularly.
    6. Comments not addressed. EPA received many specific language 
changes and detailed policy recommendations that were not incorporated 
into the final pamphlet. During the pamphlet's revision, EPA, CPSC, and 
other participating agencies analyzed each recommendation in terms of 
the policy, technical, and editorial merit (and in light of the 
pamphlet's goals, target audience, and scope). As the whole document 
evolved, changes to the draft pamphlet frequently rendered some 
specific comments moot. The fact that a comment is not directly 
reflected in the final pamphlet does not necessarily indicate that the 
comment lacked merit. Rather, many comments were excluded since the 
comments no longer fit within the pamphlet's level of detail or scope.

IV. Alternative Languages

    EPA recognizes that this lead hazard information may be important 
in some communities that have a limited ability to utilize information 
provided in English. For that reason, EPA is currently developing a 
Spanish language version of the pamphlet. EPA and CPSC will announce 
the availability of the Spanish-language pamphlet in the Federal 
Register when available and immediately begin efforts to distribute the 
document through available channels.
    In addition, the Agency is exploring avenues such as public-private 
partnerships for conducting translations into additional languages, 
such as Chinese and Korean. Organizations interested in working with 
EPA and CPSC to print and distribute the pamphlet, or to develop new 
pamphlet translations should write to: Paula Moser, Program Development 
Branch, Environmental Protection Agency (7404), 401 M St., SW., 
Washington, DC 20460.
    Based on the response from interested organizations, EPA and CPSC 
will develop a plan for preparing additional translations.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Lead.

    Dated: July 25, 1995.
Lynn R. Goldman
Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic 
Substances.
[FR Doc. 95-18875 Filed 7-31-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F