Previously, the EPA did not require facilities to report releases of lead and lead compounds into the air, water and land unless they manufactured or processed more than 25,000 pounds annually or used more than 10,000 pounds annually. The new rule lowers both thresholds to 100 pounds per year.
The rule was announced Jan. 8 and is retroactive to Jan. 1. Manufacturers have until July 1, 2002, to report the amount of lead they released into the environment in 2001.