The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently fined a painting company in Oregon $32,508 for violating the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule, a federal renovation rule that also applies to work done by wood flooring contractors. College Works Painting (Irvine, Calif.) violated the RRP rule by not distributing the EPA's "Renovate Right" pamphlet before conducting renovation work in nine properties located throughout Portland, McMinnville and Hillsboro, Ore.
Renovation contractors must follow the RRP rule when disturbing lead-based coatings (including paint, stain and finish) in pre-1978 homes and child-occupied buildings. The EPA says violating the RRP rule potentially puts tenants and homeowners at risk of exposure to lead hazards.
Also, a property management firm was fined $3,542, in part, for not distributing "Renovate Right" prior to conducting renovation work in a South Portland, Maine, apartment building.
"Families have a right to know about possible lead health hazards around the home," said EPA's Rick Albright. "By reading the 'Renovate Right' pamphlet, families can learn how to avoid hazardous lead dust during renovations."
According to Remodeling magazine, there are rumors that EPA is stepping up its RRP enforcement. The rule was first enacted April 22, 2010. Recently, Check4Lead.com launched its EPA Audit Map to help track enforcement.
For an overview of the RRP rule, see "What Happened at Lead Class."
