The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fined Home Depot $20.75 million for “hundreds of instances” of hiring subcontractors who did not use lead-safe work practices or were not trained or certified to handle lead paint.
The practice was in violation of the EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule. Of the $20.75 million fine, $750,000 will be paid to Utah, $732,000 to Massachusetts and $50,000 to Rhode Island, as these three states also have EPA-authorized RRP programs. The settlement was announced in December.
“These were serious violations. The stiff penalty Home Depot will pay reflects the importance of using certified firms and contractors in older home renovations,” stated Johnathan Brightbill, principal deputy assistant attorney general of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Contractors hired for most work in homes built prior to 1978, when lead based paint was in widespread use, must be certified. These contractors have the training to recognize and prevent the hazards that can be created when lead paint is disturbed.”
The EPA investigation was launched following customer complaints about Home Depot renovations.
In addition to the monetary fine, Home Depot is required to implement a comprehensive, corporate-wide program to ensure that the firms and contractors it hires are certified and trained to use lead-safe work practices “to avoid spreading lead dust and paint chips during home renovation activities.”
