Department of Environment & Conservation
Jim Fyke, Commissioner

Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste Management

 

Toxic Substances Program

The Toxic Substances Program (TSP) works to
protect the people of Tennessee from environmental and health hazards caused by three toxic substances: lead, asbestos, and polychlorinated bi-phenyls (PCBs). State and federal statutes and regulations are regulatory tools that provide the foundation of the programs described below.

Lead Hazard Program:  Lead is a toxic metal once used for many years in products found in and around our homes. Although lead-based paint was banned for use in residential structures in 1978, deterioration of old buildings, remodeling and renovation of older houses, and lead in dust and soil result in a continuing health threat — especially for young children. TSP administers the following programs to reduce the risk of lead exposure.

Lead-based paint certification program: TSP outlines procedures and requirements for accreditation of training programs, certification of professionals, and work practice standards for conducting lead-based paint abatement activities.

Lead Hazard Reduction and Abatement Projects: TSP monitors the compliance of contractors and workers conducting lead abatement projects in target residential dwellings and child occupied facilities built prior to 1978.  To be certified in Tennessee in one of the seven lead-based paint disciplines, individuals must meet specific experience and education criteria, take the appropriate for training course, and pass the Tennessee State certification exam.  The purpose is to ensure that individuals are properly trained and use proper safe work practice standards.

EBLL Investigations: TSP collaborates with the Tennessee Department of Health to identify the source of lead exposure for children with elevated blood-lead levels (EBLL’s). As part of the EBLL risk assessment report, options are outlined as to actions families can take to reduce the child’s risk of lead exposure.  Visit the link for the Department of Health‘s website, for more information on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention in Tennessee.

Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) – Federal Program: Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children. To protect against this risk, on April 22, 2008, EPA issued a Rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under the rule, beginning in April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. To find out more about the Federal EPA Program, follow the link to the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule requirements which are now in effect.

Click here for a link to EPA-Accredited Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program (RRP) Training Providers.

Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) – State of Tennessee Program: The State of Tennessee RRP program applies to paid renovation activities in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities where more than 6- square feet of lead-based paint on the interior or more than 20-square feet on the exterior are disturbed. Firms are required to be certified by the state as an RRP firm and each must have a state certified ‘Renovator’ that has completed an 8-hour state accredited lead-safe work practices course. After completing regulated RRP activities, units must be properly cleaned to remove lead hazards and pass clearance testing and/or screening.

The lead-based paint amended Rule was filed with the Secretary of State on Friday, August 14, 2008.  The Public Hearing is scheduled for October 9, 2009 at 8:30 a.m., 17th floor, L&C Tower, 401 Church Street

Click here for a link to the Secretary of State’s web-site to access the amended lead-based paint Rule which includes the new federal requirements for renovation, repair and painting (RRP).

Asbestos Program: Model Asbestos Accreditation Program (MAP):  Rule Chapter 1200-01-20 Asbestos Accreditation Requirements became effective June 23, 2009 in Tennessee for training providers, training courses, firms and asbestos professionals. For information on TSP’s implementation of the new asbestos accreditation program, follow the link.

NEW - Click here for searchable database of accredited training providers, firms and asbestos professionals in Tennessee.

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), a federal statute enacted in 1986, requires local education agencies (LEAs) to inspect their schools for asbestos-containing building material and prepare management plans to prevent or reduce asbestos hazards. Rules implementing AHERA are published in the Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR 763, Subpart E. TSP, through a cooperative agreement with EPA Region 4, conducts compliance monitoring inspections at LEAs throughout the state. Inspections include a review of the Asbestos Management Plans and an inspection of the school. TSP also conducts inspections at schools where asbestos removal projects are underway. To find out more information about the federal AHERA program visit www.epa.gov/schools. As part of a new air toxics monitoring initiative, EPA, state and local air pollution control agencies will monitor the outdoor air around schools for pollutants known as toxic air pollutants. For more information about Tennessee schools selected for monitoring, visit www.epa.gov/schoolair.

PCBs:

PCBs are long lasting, synthetic organic compounds that due to their non-flammability, stability high boiling point and insulating propertied, they were used in numerous applications including electrical and hydraulic equipment insulting oils; as plasticizers in paint plastics and rubber products; in pigments and dyes and hundreds of other industrial applications. PCBs were manufactured from 1929 until the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) banned them in 1979 pursuant to regulations outlined 40 CFR 761. PCBs are still in use in older electrical equipment such as transformers and capacitors. Through a cooperative agreement with EPA Region 4, the Toxic Substances Program conducts PCB Compliance Inspections to monitor use, storage, disposal, and management of PCBs by electrical utility companies, industries, scrap metal facilities, and other businesses.