Search Frequent Questions

Displaying 1 - 15 of 18 results

• What state or federal agencies are responsible for evaluating records from the PADOH cancer registry? Are all types of cancers considered in this evaluation [including rare and/or environmentally associated cancers]?

  A few important items to note regarding the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry:  PADOH’s Pennsylvania Cancer Registry is a statewide data system responsible for collecting information on all new cases of cancer diagnosed or treated in Pennsylvania. It is part of the National Program of Cancer Registries administered by the Centers for…

  • Last published: March 4, 2024

• Does EPA’s announcement of June 18, 2010 modify the Lead Renovation Repair and Painting Rule’s requirements that contractors use lead-safe work practices when working in pre-1978 housing or child-occupied facilities?

  Answer: This announcement does not change the requirement that all contractors take steps to protect children and families from the dangers of lead poisoning by becoming certified and following the work practice standards and the associated recordkeeping requirements. As of April 22, 2010 all contractors have been required to be…

  • Last published: November 14, 2024

• How does the June 18, 2010 announcement impact renovators in states that have adopted their own RRP programs?

  Answer: If you work in a state authorized by EPA to run their own renovation program, you should contact them for information on their certification requirements. If you work in a state where EPA administers the renovation program your firm needs to be certified by EPA. Please refer to the…

  • Last published: November 5, 2024

• Thousands of renovators are already trained and their firms are EPA certified. Will EPA enforce against renovators who did not receive their training certification before December 31, 2010?

  It is most important that all contractors follow the RRP work practice standards. However, EPA is providing additional time for renovation firms and workers to obtain the necessary training and certifications before the enforcement of the firm certification and individual renovator requirements begins. Therefore, renovators who have not been able…

  • Last published: November 19, 2024

• Is there a Pennsylvania registry that tracks non-cancer diseases or immunological disorders?

  PADOH and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services do not have a registry for multiple sclerosis (MS), MS-related diseases or immunologic disorders. Despite extensive research on the mechanisms of MS development and progress, the exact mechanism is not known and there are no definitive studies to show causation…

  • Last published: March 1, 2024

• Is it permissible for a training provider to employ more than one training manager?

  Answer : Yes. The Rule requires that a training provider employ a training manager that meets the qualifications in 40 CFR 745.225(c)(1). EPA does not interpret this to be a limitation on the permissible number of training managers. Therefore, a training provider may employ more than one training manager so…

  • Last published: January 13, 2025

• Does the June 18, 2010, announcement mean that EPA will not enforce certification and training requirements until after October 1, 2010, for firms and December 31, 2010, for renovators?

  Answer: EPA is not stopping its enforcement against any renovation firms and individual renovators who do not comply with requirements of work practice standards and associated recordkeeping requirements. However, EPA is providing additional time for renovation firms and workers to obtain the necessary training and certifications before enforcement of the…

  • Last published: November 5, 2024

• If a renovator takes the refresher course early, would the new certification be valid for five years from the date of training, or five years from the date that the previous certification expires?

  Question : I’m a training provider and have been accredited for the renovator refresher course. If a renovator takes the refresher course early (i.e., before their previous certification has expired), would the new certification be valid for five years from the date of training, or five years from the date…

  • Last published: November 19, 2024

• I'm an accredited training provider. Can the final course assessment to be administered in an "open book" format?

  No. The training provider is responsible for maintaining the validity and integrity of the course test to ensure that it accurately evaluates the trainee’s knowledge and retention of the course topics. A course test administered in an open book format does not evaluate whether a student has sufficiently learned and…

  • Last published: November 19, 2024

• How do we know our drinking water has not been affected over the past 40+ years when the landfill was operating and after it closed since there were no regulations governing its operation or closure?

  The Norwood community is serviced by a public drinking water source. The public water supply must meet federal and state Safe Drinking Water Act Standards. Public water systems are required to share annual reports that describe what, if anything, is found in the water supply.

  • Last published: March 8, 2024

• Do all renovation course instructors need to be approved as principal instructors? For example, to reach a 6:1 student-to-instructor ratio with 18 people in the class, may we have one principal instructor who teaches the entire lecture and is assisted by two additional hands-on instructors (who are not approved as principal instructors)?

  Answer: Every accredited training program must employ a qualified training manager, and it is the job of the training manager to designate a qualified principal instructor for each course. The principal instructor is responsible for the organization of the course and oversees the teaching of all course material. The training…

  • Last published: November 14, 2024

• Who would be liable for the fine if a state or local government that was not a certified firm hired a contractor that was not certified?

  Answer: The hired firm would be in violation of the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule if it was uncertified and performing a covered renovation. Question Number: 23002-24814 Find a printable PDF copy of all frequent questions pertaining to lead .

  • Last published: November 20, 2024

• Why is it difficult to establish a link between cancers or other illnesses and environmental exposures?

  The complex nature of cancer makes it inherently challenging to identify, interpret, and address cancer clusters. Cancer is a term describing different diseases that share a similar characteristic: uncontrollable cell growth and division. As a group, cancers are very common. Cancers are the second leading cause of death in the…

  • Last published: November 26, 2024

• How do we know that we have not been exposed to contamination from the Landfill for the past 40+ years?

  EPA works closely with its partner, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) in evaluating potential health exposures from waste sources. ATSDR has the ability to look at the cancer registry data to evaluate potential past exposures, while EPA’s role is to evaluate current and future exposure. ATSDR…

  • Last published: March 4, 2024

• Can Norwood residents be exposed to contamination if we grow and eat our own vegetables from gardens in our yards?

  To date, contamination has not been found on residential properties that would pose a risk. In addition, the concentrations of the contaminants found at the Norwood Site are often found in urban communities. Studies show that exposure to contaminants via vegetable gardens is negligible. With the exception of some root…

  • Last published: March 8, 2024