§2685 Lead Abatement and Measurement

Summary

Require the Administrator to run a national program, with other federal agencies, to promote safe, effective, and affordable ways to find and remove lead hazards. The Administrator must set lab testing rules and minimum performance standards and, within 2 years after October 28, 1992, create a lab certification program unless good voluntary accreditation is already working nationwide. A public list of certified or accredited labs must be published not later than 24 months after October 28, 1992 and every year after. If voluntary programs are accepted, the Administrator must review them within 3 years of that decision and, if they do not work, must start the required certification program within 12 months. The Secretary of Health and Human Services, through CDC and NIEHS, must study where children with high lead levels are getting exposed. The Secretary, with NIOSH, must also study how to reduce dangerous lead exposure at work, including surveillance, work methods, health effects, high‑risk jobs, and janitorial workers. Those studies must look at sources like drinking water, food, lead paint and dust, outdoor air and soil, occupational exposure, and any other sources the Secretary finds appropriate. A report on these studies is due to Congress not later than 30 months after October 28, 1992. The Administrator, with HHS and HUD, must run public education and outreach about the dangers of lead, screening children, safe abatement, and how to reduce lead risks, aimed at health workers, parents, homeowners, renters, retailers, and the renovation and real estate industries. Within 6 months after October 28, 1992 the Administrator must set up a National Clearinghouse on Childhood Lead Poisoning to collect and share information and a single public hotline to answer questions and refer callers to the Clearinghouse. Finally, not later than 30 months after October 28, 1992 the President must set rules for testing and performance of products used in lead hazard evaluation and reduction, using independent labs where possible, and may delegate that work to EPA, Commerce, or another agency.