EPA Enforcement Actions Help Protect Health of Vulnerable Communities from Lead Paint Hazards

 Issued: Oct 28, 2022 (2:12pm EDT)


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EPA Enforcement Actions Help Protect Health of Vulnerable Communities from
Lead Paint Hazards 




 

WASHINGTON (October 28, 2022) - As part of National Lead Poisoning Prevention
Week, today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highlighted several
federal enforcement actions completed from October 2021 through September
2022, as well as future planned investigations. These actions ensure that
renovation contractors, landlords and realtors comply with rules that protect
the public from exposure to lead from lead paint. By bringing companies into
compliance with these rules, EPA protects future customers and their families.


Lead-contaminated dust from chipped or peeling lead-based paint in homes built
prior to 1978 presents one of the most common causes of elevated blood lead
levels in children. Infants and children are especially vulnerable to lead
paint exposure because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults do,
and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging
effects of lead.


“Because lead-based paint is the most common source of elevated blood lead
levels in U.S. children, EPA is taking action against those who violate
federal lead-based paint regulations and ensuring the public understands the
danger of this hazard,�?? said Larry Starfield, EPA’s Acting Assistant
Administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “The
enforcement actions EPA took this past year send a clear message that EPA is
committed to enforcing regulations designed to protect the public from
lead-based paint exposure.�??


Reduction of childhood lead exposures is a high priority for EPA. These
enforcement actions reflect the agency’s continuing commitment to
implementing the Federal Lead Strategy and EPA’s Lead Strategy and result
in reducing or eliminating lead exposures, particularly to children. 


Regulations under 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 facilities such as pre-schools and
child-care centers. 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 information about lead-based paint before the sale or lease of
most housing built before 1978. By ensuring compliance with federal
lead-based paint requirements, EPA addresses a major source of lead exposure
that occurs in communities across the nation.


The cases below involve alleged noncompliance with at least one of these lead
paint requirements. These cases highlight the range of the Agency’s work,
including:



criminal prosecution in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice
(DOJ),
a focus on geographic areas that suffer from disproportionate levels of lead
exposure, and
bringing civil administrative actions against renovators with a far-reaching
influence on the compliance landscape locally, regionally or nationwide.



By ensuring compliance with federal lead paint requirements, EPA strives to
address major sources of lead exposure that occur throughout the nation and
particularly in areas of environmental justice concern. In addition to EPA’s
actions, the Agency supports states, tribes, and territories on the
implementation and enforcement of the EPA-authorized lead-based paint
programs.


Although the federal government banned residential use of lead-based paint in
1978, it persists in millions of older homes, sometimes under layers of new
paint. Lead exposure, particularly at higher doses, continues to pose a
significant health and safety threat to children, preventing them from
reaching their fullest potential for their health, intellect, and future
development. Even small amounts of lead dust can cause harm to children living
in the home.


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 additional highlights of FY2022 enforcement actions involving lead, see
EPA’s 2022 Lead Enforcement Bulletin.


Members of the public can help protect our environment by identifying and
reporting environmental violations. Learn more about reporting environmental
violations. 


 
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