EPA Takes Action To Protect Public From Harmful Lead Exposure

March 14, 2014- The EPA announced in February enforcement actions that will require 35 home renovation contractors and training providers to take additional steps to protect communities by minimizing harmful lead dust from home renovations, as required by the EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Standards.

The RRP standards protect children and others vulnerable to exposure to lead dust. Part of the federal Toxic Substances Control Act, the standards aim to ensure that owners of housing built before 1978 receive information on lead-based paint hazards before renovations begin and that specific work practices are followed to reduce lead paint exposure. 



“Families deserve the peace of mind that home renovations occur without harming children,” said Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.

The settlements, issued between May 2013 and January 2014, include 17 contractors that failed to obtain required certification prior to performing renovation activities on pre-1978 homes, where lead is more likely to be present. In addition, 21 settlements involve violations for failure to follow required lead-safe work practices. The enforcements led to more than $274,000 in civil penalties.

 

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