[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]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPPTS-62149; FRL-4966-6]
Lead Hazard Information Pamphlet; Notice of Availability
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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