WASHINGTON -- The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) noted that more than 476,000 home renovation contractors have successfully completed the training required under the federal Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule.

"Six months ago, we were quite worried that homeowners would not have enough certified remodelers, technicians and other contractors to do work in the nearly 79 million homes built before 1978 that are affected by this rule," said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones, a builder in Bloomfield Hills, MI.

Following pressure applied by NAHB and other trade groups, the Environmental Protection Agency extended the deadline for obtaining training until Dec. 31, 2010.

Not satisfied, NAHB, The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) and the Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) filed a lawsuit on July 7 against EPA for removing the "opt out" provision of the lead rule. The "opt-out" had allowed owners of homes built in 1978 to forgo certain costly LRRP requirements as long as no pregnant women or children under 6 were present.

Read the National Association of Home Builders' press release.