Paint makers fight a $2.5B ruling over lead hazard

September 29, 2013 — bunkerville

I was going to try entitle a post today, “Silly Sunday.” The intention was for a post that was beyond the pale of reason with a sprinkle of humor thrown in. Weekends can be tough for bloggers. Hard to get the energy up and be at the ready. This is definitely qualifies as beyond the pale. But the significance could be enormous. Think about it. There has been no lead paint in homes since 1978. Yet this could set a precedent that would ensure the bankruptcy of many major companies.  $2.5 Billion for California alone. And if required across the United States? Kiss these companies good-bye. It never ends.

Paint makers try to avoid $2.5B ruling over lead hazard

  • Lawyers for house-paint providers are due to make their final arguments today in a trial over whether the companies should have to remove lead paint from hundreds of thousands of homes in California, a requirement that could cost the firms up to $2.5B.
  • The defendants are Sherwin-Williams (SHW) NL Industries (NL), ConAgra (CAG), DuPont (DD) and BP (BP) unit Atlantic-Richfield.
  • The case has been brought by 10 city and county governments in California, which argue that the lead is harmful to children. Lead has been banned in residential paint since 1978. Seeking Alpha
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HUD Offers Millions in Grants to Remove Lead-Based Paint in Lower-Income Homes

September 6, 2010 — bunkerville

 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is making $110 million in grants available to help eliminate lead-based paint from lower-income homes to protect young children from lead poisoning. 
The grants to states and local governments are being offered through HUD’s Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control and Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Programs.
HUD says its mission is to “create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.” Now that is a mission!!

And for those of us who would like to have a contractor come out and do “a bit of  a feel better about my sinking home value” and have a some painting done, good luck. We pay.The EPA now has of course, weighed in with some great regs.: enjoy! In the mean time, don’t chew on the window sill. Hint: It is up to you to prove the date of your paint– after 1978– I know~

http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm 

EPA requires that firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools be certified by EPA and that they use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers to follow lead-safe work practices. Individuals can become certified renovators by taking an eight-hour training course from an EPA-approved training provider.

Under the rule, beginning April 22, 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

More at CNS here

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