WASHINGTON – As a part of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, at this time the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highlighted a number of federal enforcement actions accomplished from October 2021 via September 2022, in addition to future deliberate investigations. These actions make sure that renovation contractors, landlords and realtors adjust to guidelines that shield the general public from publicity to steer from lead paint. By bringing firms into compliance with these guidelines, EPA protects future prospects and their households.
Lead-contaminated mud from chipped or peeling lead-based paint in houses constructed previous to 1978 presents probably the most frequent causes of elevated blood lead ranges in youngsters. Infants and youngsters are particularly weak to steer paint publicity as a result of their rising our bodies take up extra lead than adults do, and their brains and nervous programs are extra delicate to the damaging results of lead.
“Because lead-based paint is the most typical supply of elevated blood lead ranges in U.S. youngsters, EPA is taking motion in opposition to those that violate federal lead-based paint laws and guaranteeing the general public understands the hazard of this hazard,” mentioned Larry Starfield, EPA’s Acting Assistant Administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “The enforcement actions EPA took this previous yr ship a transparent message that EPA is dedicated to implementing laws designed to guard the general public from lead-based paint publicity.”
Reduction of childhood lead exposures is a excessive precedence for EPA. These enforcement actions mirror the company’s persevering with dedication to implementing the Federal Lead Strategy and EPA’s Lead Strategy and lead to lowering or eliminating lead exposures, notably to youngsters.
Regulations beneath the federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (LHRA) apply to most pre-1978 dwellings and child-occupied services equivalent to pre-schools and child-care facilities. TSCA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP) and Lead-based Paint Activities Rule require contractor certification and lead-safe work practices. LHRA’s Section 1018 Lead Disclosure Rule requires disclosure of details about lead-based paint earlier than the sale or lease of most housing constructed earlier than 1978. By guaranteeing compliance with federal lead-based paint necessities, EPA addresses a significant supply of lead publicity that happens in communities throughout the nation.
The circumstances under contain alleged noncompliance with at the least one in all these lead paint necessities. These circumstances spotlight the vary of the Agency’s work, together with:
- legal prosecution along side the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ),
- a give attention to geographic areas that endure from disproportionate ranges of lead publicity, and
- bringing civil administrative actions in opposition to renovators with a far-reaching affect on the compliance panorama domestically, regionally or nationwide.
By guaranteeing compliance with federal lead paint necessities, EPA strives to handle main sources of lead publicity that happen all through the nation and notably in areas of environmental justice concern. In addition to EPA’s actions, the Agency helps states, tribes, and territories on the implementation and enforcement of the EPA-authorized lead-based paint applications.
Although the federal authorities banned residential use of lead-based paint in 1978, it persists in tens of millions of older houses, generally beneath layers of latest paint. Lead publicity, notably at greater doses, continues to pose a big well being and security risk to youngsters, stopping them from reaching their fullest potential for his or her well being, mind, and future improvement. Even small quantities of lead mud may cause hurt to youngsters dwelling within the residence.
Case Highlights:
Two Chicks and a Hammer, Inc. of HGTV’s “Good Bones” Settle to Resolve Alleged Renovation, Violations
Warner Bros. Discovery Network’s “Maine Cabin Masters” Renovator Agrees to Include Lead Paint Compliance Information in Upcoming Episodes as Part of Settlement
GB Group, Inc. Settles to Resolve Alleged Renovation Violations
Property Management Firm Settles Alleged Lead Renovation and Asbestos Violations
Property Manager Sentenced for Failure to Properly Notify Tenants about Lead Hazards
Owner of Maryland Lead Inspection Company Sentenced
To see extra highlights of FY2022 enforcement actions involving lead, see EPA’s 2022 Lead Enforcement Bulletin.
Members of the general public will help shield the environment by figuring out and reporting environmental violations. Learn extra about reporting environmental violations.
