Readers Respond: Getting the lead out

The following letters were in response to an article about reform of the EPA’s Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule.

Lead paint rule and the opt-out provision:

“Why the industry even bothers to humor the EPA is beyond me.  Let the private property owner be responsible for his own ‘pollution.’  If he harms his neighbor, then he’s responsible for the consequences whether financial or otherwise.”

— Charles Veazey, Boulia-Gorrell Lumber, Laconia, N.H.

“As a sales consultant working in the window installation business for an EPA-certified contractor, I average 850 appointments per year. I can assure you here in Connecticut, the opt-out rule would be exercised by 75% of my clients who do not have young children in the home. Therefore, I agree the opt-out rule would save valuable time for my installers and money for my customers. Bring it back!”

— Name withheld