What regulatory framework governs lead removal and abatement?

The regulatory framework that governs lead removal and abatement is the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This act provides the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the authority to regulate the manufacture, use, and disposal of specific chemical substances, including lead. Under TSCA, the EPA can take actions to restrict or ban substances that pose an unreasonable risk to human health and the environment.

In the context of lead abatement, TSCA is particularly significant because it addresses lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust in residential properties, especially those built before 1978. The act mandates actions to be taken to reduce lead exposure and sets forth guidelines for safe removal practices, ensuring that effective measures are in place to protect public health.

Other acts mentioned, such as the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, each address different environmental concerns, but they do not specifically regulate lead abatement processes. The Safe Drinking Water Act focuses on ensuring safe drinking water quality, the Clean Air Act is concerned with air pollution and air quality standards, while the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act governs the management of hazardous waste. None of these frameworks specifically target lead in the same way as TSCA does.