ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, December 6, 1996 TAG: 9612060041
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
From now on, home buyers and renters will have to be told if there is any lead-based paint in the house or apartment they're interested in, the Environmental Protection Agency says.
New regulations on residential disclosure of lead-based paint go into effect today. Anyone who fails to inform prospective purchasers or renters about the paint could face a civil suit and in some cases a jail sentence.
The new disclosure requirements ``will greatly contribute to our efforts to prevent and eliminate the incidence of childhood lead poisoning nationwide,'' said EPA Administrator Carol Browner. Lead-based paint was used in houses before 1978.
According to the EPA, more than 64 million residences in the country contain some lead paint, or about 80 percent of U.S. housing built before 1978.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 28 linesby CNB