EPA announced it is taking enforcement actions against 17 companies for violations of the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule (RRP). Alleged violations include failure to obtain certification prior to performing or offering to perform renovations on homes built before 1978, where lead is more likely to be present, and failure to follow lead-safe practices.
The goal of the RRP rule is to protect homeowners and tenants from lead dust that can be left behind after renovation, repair and painting work. It requires that contractors and subcontractors be properly trained and certified, and use lead-safe work practices to ensure that lead dust is minimized.
"Using lead-safe work practices is good business and it's the law," said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "EPA is taking action to enforce lead rules to protect people from exposure to lead and to ensure a level playing field for contractors that follow the rules."
The 17 enforcement actions include 14 settlements requiring fines of up to $23,000 each, and three administrative complaints seeking up to the statutory maximum of $37,500 per violation. These settlements also required the contractors to certify that they had come into compliance with the requirements of the RRP rule. As required by the Toxic Substances Control Act, a company or individual's ability to pay a penalty is evaluated and penalties are adjusted accordingly; for example, violators deemed "micro-businesses" are often exempt from fees, but must still prove that they have come into compliance.
Enforcement actions were brought against: Groeller Painting Inc. of St. Louis, Mo. Albracht Permasiding and Window Co. of Omaha, Neb.Midwest College Painters LLC of Bloomfield Hills, Mich. ARK Property Investments LLC of Richmond, Ind.Henderson & Associates Services of Largo, Fla.Home Resources Management LLC of Columbia, Tenn. Camaj Interiors & Exteriors of Jacksonville, Fla. Cherokee Home Improvements LLC of Church Creek, Md. Window World of Harford located in Belair, Md. EA Construction and General Contracting of West Chester, Pa.Roman Builders of Morton, Pa. Accolade Construction Group Inc. of New York, N.Y.PZ Painting of Springfield, N.J. Creative Renovations of Brooklyn, N.Y.Reeson Construction of Webster, N.H.New Hampshire Plate Glass Corporation of Portsmouth, N.H.CM Rogers Handyman of Manchester, N.H.
