Delaware owners would get lead-painted outdoor structures checked

Owners of outdoor structures with lead paint would have licensed inspectors assess lead risks. This covers owners of outdoor structures with paint containing more than 90 parts per million of lead by weight in its dried film or the part that does not evaporate. Owners would report inspection results to Delaware’s health and environmental agencies if an inspection finds deteriorating lead paint that poses an imminent threat of releasing lead. After reporting, owners would send both agencies a plan describing the steps they will take to prevent the release. Owners would complete the first assessment before the date two years after the bill takes effect. They would report a qualifying finding within 30 days of discovering it through inspection.

Delaware’s environmental secretary could not exempt covered facilities from hazardous substance cleanup rules. This covers facilities with lead paint on permanent or semi-permanent outdoor structures exposed to weather. Lead paint exceeds 90 parts per million of lead by weight in its dried film or the part that does not evaporate. Owners would take all reasonable steps to prevent lead from escaping into the environment. Owners could apply to Delaware’s voluntary cleanup program.

Delaware’s environmental secretary or a designee would enforce outdoor lead paint rules alongside the health secretary or a designee. This applies to Delaware’s rules on lead paint on outdoor structures.