Bret I can only relate to my experience on this.
We did mostly custom restorations, repairs and body modifications on vintage vehicles done the "correct" way for picky customers. Basically purists, and old schoolers or kids of old schoolers, that had the mindset of no plastic filler where there was none to start. I used a lot of lead in 1989 to 1990 when they shut us down. 50 percent of what I personally did was leading. Did roof lines after removal of vinal tops , and restoration of leaded seams for vintage vehicles. We had other shops sending their lead work to us. Sometimes the car. Or sometimes just a fender, for bezel work. I would do it , coat with primer and we would ship them back for their guys to finish the car.
The Ohio EPA was pushing us for modernization. We had 2 bays,small shop. Lone of the bays was our paint booth. With a couple inside parking spaces behind the shop,for rotating our work, and the grease work. In the side of a rent a space warehouse.
My primary trade was leading and metal working, at the time,and I was good. My trade was not Bondo artist ( plenty of those around) . My work did not come cheap
We swapped tested high. They fined us.
wanted us to put in 2 downdraft booths, with moats under the floor The kind with particulate filters,you can just hose down when done.
None of us ever tested hot because we used precautions. But seams like they would always show up on the days I was finishing the lead work, and get a high swab. Of course I was pushing out lead work on about an average of 2 cars a week then.Most of it farmed to us from bigger shops, that either had no one with the skill, or just did not want to mess with it
Like I said we all had good job opportunities so it just was not worth moving, expanding, modernizing and dancing around with the EPA. Paying the fines. Or changing up completely how we did things and our customer base
I went on to do mud, work, and paint prep for a bigger body shop on the weekends. Working also in a metal polishing company.
My brother became a truck driver, and our friend got himself a job at a dealership.
We have often talked about buying an old car and fixing it together just for old times sake.
I really miss those days, and yes if you can not tell by now, I have a few regrets
Sorry if I rant but this left a sour spot in my crawl I still have not shaken over all these years.