Lead Paint Remediation

If you're involved in the remediation of lead-based paint, EPA has announced an extension of effective dates for certification of workers and firms and use of work practice standards to March 1. This marks the third delay in implementing the final rule for the certification and training of lead-based paint professionals, first published in 1996. In addition, all training providers must now be accredited by EPA to offer lead-based paint activities courses in the federal program. EPA officials have said that there have been several unavoidable delays which have slowed the process of approving a sufficient number of training providers to accommodate the number of individuals seeking certification.

Alpine Injunction Expected

Sources tell IE Connections that a federal judge is expected this month to order Alpine Industries to stop claiming their ozone generating air cleaners provide relief from any medical conditions or remove a wide variety of indoor air pollutants. Filed by the Federal Trade Commission, an interim injunction would force Alpine to tell their dealers to stop making product claims. The company has been putting a positive "spin" on their recent courtroom loss to the FTC. (See story in December's IE Connections.) The penalty phase of the case is still under way and could involve a permanent injunction on Alpine product claims.

School Pest Control Bill

Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut recently signed on the School Environment Protection Act of 1999, introduced by N.J. Sen. Robert Torricelli. The bill creates a national requirement that the safest methods of pest control are used in school buildings and on school grounds to protect children. Lieberman also called on EPA Administrator Carol Browner to "use her authority to begin collecting and reviewing data on school exposures and to develop a plan for a comprehensive survey on the use of pesticides in schools."

ARTI Seeking Experts

The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Institute (ARTI) is seeking experts to serve on subcommittees within the industry-government research collaboration HVACR Research for the 21st Centry (21-CR) Program. About one-third of the current program members will be rotating off subcommittees in mid-2000 and new volunteers are sought for all five subcommittees: Alternative Equipment, Equipment Energy Efficiency, Systems Integration, Indoor Environmental Quality and Working Fluids. There is a self nomination form at the ARTI website at www.arti-21cr.org/subcomm/nominate.html.