Hazards | YPGG - Why Green?

PHILADELPHIA - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working with local partners to raise awareness of EPA’s lead-based paint rules in Philadelphia neighborhoods.

"By educating the public about the dangers of lead paint and increasing awareness of lead paint rules, we can help reduce lead poisoning in children," said EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. “This initiative is a focused effort with our local counterparts to reduce lead exposure in Philadelphia, where there is a large amount of older housing stock with lead paint that has not been removed.”

The most common source of lead exposure is through deteriorating lead-based paint in residences and commercial buildings built before 1978. EPA, along with partners from other federal agencies, the city of Philadelphia, and independent non-profit organizations are targeting communities where pre-1978 housing stock is prevalent.

Outreach efforts include in-person meetings, distributing technical assistance information, visits to paint/hardware stores, awareness training for city inspectors and providing information to contractors/renovators and property management firms. Information is also provided to daycare centers, childcare and healthcare focused organizations.

EPA enforces and raises awareness of several rules. The Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP) applies when a renovation or repair disturbs six square feet of interior (about the size of a standard poster) or 20 square feet (about the size of a standard door) of exterior painted surfaces.

The RRP rule requires that those working on pre-1978 housing be trained by an EPA-accredited training provider, be employed by a certified firm, use the required work practices to control exposure to lead/lead dust, and provide information on the rule to owner and tenants.

The Lead-based Paint Disclosure Rule requires owners of residential rental properties and sellers of residential property built before 1978 to disclose known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before a lease or sale becomes enforceable. Sales contracts and leases must include a disclosure form about lead-based paint. Buyers have up to 10 days to check for lead hazards. Further, landlords and sellers must also provide the EPA publication "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home."

To find Certified “Lead-Safe” providers, go to www.epa.gov/lead or call 1-800-424-LEAD. The RRP rule does not apply to individuals doing work on their personal residences.

For more information on becoming a Certified “Lead-Safe” firm or renovator, or finding a certified firm for your renovation or repair project, go to: www.epa.gov/lead or call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323).

Earlier this week, EPA released a report called “Protecting Children from Lead Exposures” to highlight some of the ongoing programs being worked on across the various program and regional offices. The Agency continues to aggressively address lead issues across America, working with communities and partners to further identify and eliminate lead exposure, especially for children who are most vulnerable to lead poisoning.

NEW YORK, NY - On 10/04/2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Center for Family Services, Inc. in Camden, New Jersey was selected to receive $120,000 in funding through the 2018 Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving (EJCPS) Cooperative Agreement Program. Ten organizations nationwide were selected to receive a total of $1.2 million in funding. Center for Family Services, Inc. is a non-profit organization working to address public health threats and environmental problems caused by illegal dumping in the Camden community.

“Many rural and disadvantaged communities are disproportionately impacted by environmental health risks, such as lead exposure or unsafe drinking water,” said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “EPA is committed to supporting local partnerships that will improve the environment and health of these underserved communities.”

“The hazards caused by illegal dumping are real, and raising public awareness and helping the community to become directly involved, are critical steps toward eliminating this environmental justice issue,” said EPA Regional Administrator Pete Lopez. “This project trains young Camden residents and empowers the community to combat illegal dumping, improving the environment and quality of life in Camden.”

“This important federal funding from the Environmental Protection Agency supports our work to reduce illegal dumping in Camden City through education, training, and community engagement,” said President and CEO of Center for Family Services, Inc., Richard Stagliano.

Center for Family Services, Inc. will use the EPA funding on a “clean-up” corps of community youth, hosting community events focused on illegal dumping education, and promoting use of a local web-based tool (Camden Reports) where Camden residents can report illegal dumping. Center for Family Services, Inc. is building off the success of the Camden Collaborative Initiative, which established Camden Reports and helped remove over 500 tons of solid waste in Camden.

The City of Camden spends approximately $4.5 million each year on cleaning up illegal dump sites. Over 5,800 tons of debris, including trash, tires, and electronics, have been collected from illegal dumping sites just this year. Sites formerly used for illegal dumping in the past have been revitalized as state-of-the-art parks and open space.

EPA's EJCPS program supports local organizations in their efforts to develop and implement community-driven solutions that address environmental and public health disparities in minority, low-income, tribal and indigenous populations.

A summary of each project, and more information about the 2018 EJCPS projects, is provided at https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-collaborative-problem-solving-cooperative-agreement-3.

For more information on the EJ Collaborative Problem-Solving Program, including descriptions of previously funded projects: https://www.epa.gov/environmental-justice/environmental-justice-collaborative-problem-solving-cooperative-agreement-0

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at www.twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/eparegion2

Tag: Hazards

EPA Raises Awareness of Lead Paint Rules in Philadelphia

EPA and Camden, New Jersey Tackle Illegal Dumping

“This important federal funding from the Environmental Protection Agency supports our work to reduce illegal dumping in Camden City through education, training, and community engagement,” said President and CEO of Center for Family Services, Inc., Richard Stagliano.

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