Transfer of lead based paint program

Earlier this year, the 88th General Assembly passed Act 1011 which transfers the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality’s (ADEQ) authority to operate a lead-based paint program to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). The ADH currently tracks blood levels for lead exposure in adults and children. Additionally, the ADH has the ability to do educational outreach about lead removal in homes and businesses through the 96 local health units statewide.

Teresa Marks, ADEQ director, said, “The transfer of this program will consolidate all lead paint activities into a single agency which will ultimately make it easier on the public when seeking assistance. Since the activities involving our agency concerning lead-based paint focused primarily on public health protection, we felt it was a better fit for the Health Department.”

Dr. Paul Halverson, ADH director and state health officer, said, “We have worked closely with the ADEQ over the years on lead-based paint issues related to health. Our environmental epidemiologists have partnered with ADEQ to assist Arkansans in safely removing lead-based paint from their homes. We are working to make sure that the transition is seamless and there is no interruption in the program.”

Starting July 1, 2011 the ADEQ will no longer operate a lead-based paint program. All valid licenses and certificates issued by ADEQ will remain in effect, regardless of expiration date, until the effective date of applicable rules promulgated by the State Board of Health. If a license or certificate expires before July 1, 2011 and is not renewed by the ADEQ prior to that date, the license or certificate must be renewed by the ADH under rules developed by the agency. The ADH intends to have rules in place on July 1, so that there will be no program interruption; however, it is always possible the rule promulgation may be delayed. If the rules are delayed, contractors will be unable to renew an expired license or certificate until rules


are promulgated. Accordingly, those license or certificate holders who do not want any interruption should promptly submit a renewal application to the ADEQ.

Starting July 1, 2011 all questions, correspondence, applications, Notices of Intent or other contacts regarding the lead-based paint program should be directed to:

Environmental Epidemiology
Lead-Based Paint Program
Arkansas Department of Health, Mail Slot 32
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
501-661-2000
Leadpaint@Arkansas.gov

The Environmental Protection Agency retains oversight authority over the lead-based paint program