Colorado Springs Realtor - Cherise Selley - EPA & Lead-Safe Renovations

It’s well documented that lead poisoning might cause several health illnesses, such as brain and nervous system disorders, as well as other circulatory irregularities like hypertension, especially for children six years old and under.

Colorado Springs Realtors are well-informed about these health risks, both educationally and empirically, as observed within the language of Colorado Springs Real Estate contracts.

Yet again, we’re witnessing front row seats to what appears as nationalization of all of our free enterprise markets in the United States, including the real estate industry.

Consumers and Colorado Springs Realtors already know that the federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978 for the purposes to eliminate childhood lead poisoning and to strengthen lead poisoning preventions. This was a good thing. And to recognize these efforts practically and legally, lead-based paint disclosures are included as part of the Colorado Springs Real Estate contract.

But now, I wonder about the new EPA proposals and how these regulations might actually add to safety and prevention versus governmental control over the industry.

The EPA has announced that it will propose to modify the regulatory hazard standard for lead in dust so the information can be based on the most recent science. From what I’ve gathered, this means that pre-built 1978 homes will be subject to EPA testing for lead-based paint. In fact the EPA plans to work with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding some proposals to modify the regulatory definition of lead-based paint. The standards for EPA testing remain speculative, yet the potential liability for having any dust evidence of lead-based paint on homes that are built prior to 1978 is potentially outrageous.

How does this affect the national real estate industry? It will re-define and literally re-shape the renovation business for investors, as well as contractors/subcontractors who work on renovations of older homes. We can’t overlook the possibility that the incentive to make the renovation business a viable vocation may become jeopardized. The concern is that the financial risks for the investor or contractor are unrealistically hazardous to his or her organization.

Let me reiterate this point. As a Colorado Springs Realtor, I openly support good and intelligent proposals regarding Colorado Springs Real Estate, especially if these provide benefit to both the environment and to the human condition. However, I’m leery about any proposals that simply encumber free enterprise business for unnecessary, bogged-down regulation.

Regardless of my viewpoint, it sounds like the EPA will comment on its proposal during late November, and it is expected to be finalized sometime by April 2010.