| Office of Information and Public Affairs | Washington, DC 20207 |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | |
| July 23, 1976 | |
| Release # 76-048 |
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 23) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today it will conduct a public hearing September 13-14 on the dangers of lead in paint.
In the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act, Congress told the Commission to establish a level of safety of lead in paint.
Presently Federal regulations limit the level of lead in paint to 0.5 per cent. Under the Lead-Based Paint Act, Congress gave the Commission six months to determine where the level should be between 0.06 percent and 0.5 percent.
The Commission has joined the proceeding under the Lead-Based Paint Act with a new proceeding under the Consumer Product Safety Act to take similar action for all lead based paints under the Commission's jurisdiction.
The Commission has invited the public to submit information, views and comments on lead limits for paint in writing or at an oral hearing.
The hearings will be held in the auditorium of the General Services Administration building in Washington September 13-14. They will be chaired by Commission Chairman S. John Byington and attended by all Commissioners.
Presently lead in paint is regulated under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act and the Lead-Based Paint Act. The Hazardous Substances Act applies to paint packaged or intended for household use or for toys or articles intended for children. The Lead-Based Paint Act applies to paint purchased with federal funds.
The percentage of lead content is calculated in terms of weight of the lead metal in the total content of the paint, or the equivalent measure of lead in the dried film of applied paint, or both.
Persons who wish to make a presentation at the hearing should contact the Office of the Secretary (202) 634-7700, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207, at least 10 days before the proceeding.
Written material also may be submitted to the Office of the Secretary. Five copies should be provided no later that September 24, 1976.