Date: 05/02/2013
Location: Washington
Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced 17 enforcement actions concerning violations of the Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rule. This rule safeguards homeowners and tenants from hazardous lead dust left behind after common renovation, repair, and painting activities. It mandates that contractors and subcontractors undergo proper training and certification, employing lead-safe work practices to minimize lead dust exposure.
Lead exposure poses various health risks, ranging from behavioral issues and learning disabilities to seizures and even death, with young children being particularly vulnerable due to their developing nervous systems.
Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, emphasized the importance of adhering to lead-safe work practices, stating, “Using lead-safe work practices is good business and it’s the law.” She highlighted EPA’s commitment to enforcing lead rules to protect people from lead exposure and to ensure fairness for contractors who comply with regulations.
The enforcement actions target serious breaches of the RRP rule, including cases where contractors failed to obtain certification before performing or offering renovation activities on pre-1978 homes, where lead is more likely to be present. Other alleged violations include neglecting lead-safe work practices crucial for reducing exposure to lead-based paint hazards.
The 17 enforcement actions consist of:
Administrative Settlements:
- Groeller Painting, Inc. – St. Louis, Missouri
- Albracht Permasiding and Window, Co. – Omaha, Nebraska
- Midwest College Painters, LLC – Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
- ARK Property Investments, LLC – Richmond, Indiana
- Henderson & Associates Services – Largo, Florida
- Home Resources Management, LLC – Columbia, Tennessee
- Camaj Interiors & Exteriors – Jacksonville, Florida
- Cherokee Home Improvements, LLC – Church Creek, Maryland
- Window World of Harford – Belair, Maryland
- EA Construction and General Contracting – West Chester, Pennsylvania
- Roman Builders – Morton, Pennsylvania
- Accolade Construction Group, Inc. – New York, New York
- PZ Painting – Springfield, New Jersey
- Creative Renovations – Brooklyn, New York
These settlements involve civil penalties of up to $23,000 each and require contractors to certify compliance with the RRP rule’s requirements.
Administrative Complaints:
- Reeson Construction – Webster, New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Plate Glass Corporation – Portsmouth, New Hampshire
- CM Rogers Handyman – Manchester, New Hampshire
EPA has filed administrative complaints against these entities, seeking civil penalties up to the statutory maximum of $37,500 per violation. Penalties are adjusted based on a company or individual’s ability to pay, as mandated by the Toxic Substances Control Act.