Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 10, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Lead-Based Paint Program, CTED, 360-725-2941

Gov. Gary Locke Approves State Management of Lead-based Paint Program

OLYMPIA – June 10, 2004 – Gov. Gary Locke today finalized an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to transfer Washington state’s Lead-Based Paint Program from federal to state control.

The EPA program has been under federal management in Washington since the Lead-Based Paint Program went into effect nationwide in 1998. A bill passed by the 2003 Legislature established the state program, which will now be administered by the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) beginning today.

“This is an important step forward in our ongoing effort to protect the people of Washington, especially our children, from the hazards of lead-based paint,” Locke said. “I am very pleased that we have been able to reach an agreement that will serve both Washington consumers and the contractors who are responsible for removal of this dangerous material.”

The state-managed program will maintain the same health and environmental standards required by the EPA, and makes Washington eligible to apply for federal lead-hazard control grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which can be used to reduce lead-paint hazards for low-income households.

Washington state is also now eligible for a grant from the EPA for up to $440,000. The grant would help prevent children from lead poisoning related to lead-based paint in older homes. If awarded, the funding would be used by CTED to establish a statewide training and accreditation program for professionals who work with lead-based paint. If workers removing lead-based paint are properly trained, lead dust that children and other people might come in contact with is eliminated.

“The EPA appreciates the efforts made by Washington state in developing a lead program,” said John Iani, the EPA’s regional administrator in Seattle. “Lead remains a serious childhood health issue. By running the lead program, Washington will ensure that lead-based paint activities are conducted by trained and certified professionals. Washington citizens, especially children, will now have better protection from lead hazards resulting from improperly performed lead abatement.”

CTED will certify contractors that provide specialized services such as household lead-paint inspections and lead-hazard removal. Contractors with certifications issued by EPA will have 120 days to re-certify with CTED. The agency will also accredit classes for training lead-paint professionals.

“We’re glad to be serving Washingtonians through a state program,” said Juli Wilkerson, CTED director. “EPA was extremely supportive in getting our program up and running and we look forward to coordinating our future activities with the national effort.”

Lead, a naturally occurring metal, has had a number of industrial and commercial uses over the centuries. However, it is very toxic to humans, especially young children. Lead poisoning can cause learning disorders, lowered IQ and behavioral problems. In many cases, the disability is permanent.

In 1978, the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned lead from house paint. In Washington state, approximately 1.5 million housing units pre-date the 1978 ban. Deteriorated lead-based paint, especially in the form of lead-dust, is a serious health hazard.

In the late 1980s, EPA designated lead-based paint as the number-one environmental danger to young children. Congress created the national lead-based paint program in 1992. More recent regulations include the real-estate lead-paint disclosure requirement (1996) and the pre-renovation education rule (1999). In 1998, certification was required nationwide for anyone providing lead-based paint services.

For more information about the states program, visit www.cted.wa.gov.

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