News Releases

News Releases from Region 04

EPA Hosts National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in Memphis

10/25/2016
Contact Information: 
Jason McDonald (mcdonald.jason@epa.gov)
404-562-9203, 404-562-8400

ATLANTA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 announces its activities for National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.  National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week will be observed October 23-29, 2016. This year’s theme is “Lead-Free Kids for a Healthy Future,” and focuses on the many ways parents can reduce a child’s exposure to lead and prevent its serious health effects.

“EPA is proud to partner with our stakeholders in the southeast, and particularly, the State of Tennessee and Shelby County, to present National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week activities,” said Jeaneanne Gettle, Acting Division Director of the Air, Pesticides, and Toxics Management Division. “As an agency, we have a vested interest in ensuring that our families understand that lead poisoning is 100 percent preventable and 0 percent irreversible.  It is also our priority to make sure that families with children under the age of 6, children living in poverty, and those living in homes built before 1978 understand what to look for when planning to have renovation work conducted on their homes and to recognize and understand the symptoms of lead exposure. We hope that this message also flows to the contractors who do work on pre-1978 homes, as well.”

EPA will offer activities in Shelby County, TN as part of an ongoing partnership with the county to reinvigorate the conversation on lead-based paint in homes. Activities for the week include:

  • “What is RRP” a live webinar and panel discussion to be held at the Renaissance Business Center Tuesday, October 25, 2016, 555 Beale Street, Memphis, TN 38126. The presentation will begin at 11 a.m.
  • Certified Renovator Refresher Courses (FREE) to be held at Memphis Bioworks, 20 Dudley Street #900, Memphis, TN 38103. There will be a morning session to begin at 8 a.m. and an evening session to begin at 4 p.m. both on Tuesday, October 25th. Pre-registration is required through Resolution Inc. at (615) 865-8813.
  • Certified Renovator Training (FREE) to be held at the Renaissance Business Center, 555 Beale Street, Memphis, TN 38126. The eight-hour courses will be held on Wednesday, October 26 and Thursday, October 27, 2016. They will begin promptly at 8 a.m. Pre-registration is required through Resolution Inc. at (615) 865-8813.
  • EPA Day at Oakhaven Elementary on Thursday, October 27, 2016. This intensive outreach event will feature booths offering 10-minute lessons and in-class presentations to students in grades K-5.  The event begins at 8:30 a.m. and is only open to Oakhaven Elementary School students.

The Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP Rule) requires that firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities and pre-schools built before 1978 have their firm certified by EPA (or an EPA-authorized state), use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers, and follow lead-safe work practices. During National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, EPA, along with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), promote educational activities throughout the communities.


For more information on lead-based paint and the EPA’s RRP Program visit www.epa.gov/lead or for event information contact Phalia McCorkle-Kester at 404.562.8205.