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Lead Paint Poisoning: New EPA Rules

March 31, 2008 - Children are still being exposed to lead paint in older buildings. This exposure has resulted in significant injuries to children’s brains. In an effort to further protect children from exposure to lead-based paint, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing new rules for contractors who renovate or repair housing, child-care facilities or schools built before 1978. Under the new rules, workers must follow lead-safe work practice standards to reduce potential exposure to dangerous levels of lead during renovation and repair activities.

"While there has been a dramatic decrease over the last two decades in the number of children affected by lead-poisoning, EPA is continuing its efforts to take on this preventable disease," said James Gulliford, EPA's Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. "Today's new rules will require contractors to be trained and to follow simple but effective lead-safe work practices to protect children from dangerous levels of lead."

The "Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting Program" rule, which will take effect in April 2010, prohibits work practices creating lead hazards. Requirements under the rule include implementing lead-safe work practices and certification and training for paid contractors and maintenance professionals working in pre-1978 housing, child-care facilities and schools. To foster adoption of the new measures, EPA will also conduct an extensive education and outreach campaign to promote awareness of these new requirements.

The rule covers all rental housing and non-rental homes where children under six and pregnant mothers reside. The new requirements apply to renovation, repair or painting activities where more than six square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed in a room or where 20 square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed on the exterior. The affected contractors include builders, painters, plumbers and electricians. Trained contractors must post warning signs, restrict occupants from work areas, contain work areas to prevent dust and debris from spreading, conduct a thorough cleanup, and verify that cleanup was effective.

Labels: attorney, EPA, lawsuit, lead paint

EPA Examining Health Risks of Nanoscale Chemical Products

Tomorrow, February 20, 2008, the EPA is hosting an interactive forum to discuss the health and environmental risks of nanoscale chemical products. Consumers can ask questions like, "How are the nano chemicals in spray-on suntan lotion affecting my child's brain?" Inquiring minds would like to know.

The interactive forum is at 1 p.m. EDT. It will be hosted by James Gulliford, assistant administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances.

Questions submitted online will be answered by EPA officials during the one-hour live session and posted to EPA's Web site as a transcript so that others may also benefit from the discussion.
For more information or to receive e-mail alerts on upcoming hosts and topics, visit the Ask EPA page on our Web site: http://www.epa.gov/askepa.

Labels: EPA, nano chemical, toxic substances

Pritzker Olsen attorneys have appeared on national television and have been quoted by national publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Associated Press and Lawyers USA. Attorneys Fred Pritzker, Elliot Olsen and Eric Hageman have been named "Super Lawyers" by Law and Politics magazine (2008 and previous years). Attorney Fred Pritzker is also listed in the current edition (2008) of The Best Lawyers in America. To contact Pritzker Olsen Attorneys, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit the firm's free consultation form.

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Accident News and Topics

Pritzker Named Super Lawyer

In recognition of their achievements, Fred Pritzker, Elliot Olsen and Eric Hageman were named "Super Lawyers" by Law & Politics magazine. Fred Pritzker was also named a "Top 40 Super Lawyer."

Fred Pritzker Listed in The Best Lawyers in America

Fred Pritzker is listed in the current issue of The Best Lawyers in America for his work in personal injury and wrongful death litigation.

Oven or Furniture Tip Over Death

In September of 2009, CPSC released a report regarding tip-over death and injury cases. The CPSC estimates that in 2006, 16,300 children 5 years old ...

CO Poisoning from Boat Exhaust

Boat exhaust can be deadly. Please help our law firm prevent terrible tragedies du...

Pharmacy Error Settlement

Our law firm recently negotiated a settlement for the family of a woman who was given ten times the prescribed dose of cochicine.

Brain Injuries and Motor Vehicle Accidents

One of the major causes of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is motor vehicle accidents. Even a "minor" accident may result in brain injuries. We guide our clients through the process of determining the extent of the brain injuries, and we work to obtain just compensation for those injuries and the related pain and suffering.

$950,000 Recovery for Failure to Diagnose Septic Arthritis

Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Elliot Olsen recently secured a $950,000 recovery on behalf of a young man who developed septic arthritis eight days following knee surgery.

Minnesota Truck Accident Lawyer

Attorney Fred Pritzker has obtained another large recovery in a car-truck accident case. Our law firm represented the family of a man killed by a truck wheel that had come off of the truck, rolled off a bridge and killed the driver of a car that was traveling on the road below. A confidentiality agreement prevents us from discussing the case in detail, but we welcome you to contact Fred Pritzker (toll-free 1-888-377-8900) for more information about this case and other trucking accident claims our law firm has handled. For more information, see our truck accident FAQ.