The EPA reached a settlement with Dallas, Texas-based ProBuild Company for failing to comply with federal lead-based paint requirements. The firm will pay $48,060 for residential remodeling work in San Diego, Calif., not compliant with the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP).
The RRP rule requires that when remodelers are working in houses built before 1978 on projects that could disturb lead paint, they must determine whether any lead paint is present and—if they do find presence of the paint or didn't do a test—must then use certain practices to contain the spread of the lead-paint dust while they perform the remodel. The company doing the work and the renovators following lead-safe work practices both must be certified by EPA-approved training programs.
The alleged violations pertained to work performed by ProBuild Company and its subcontractors at multiple homes in the San Diego area. An EPA inspection found the company did not ensure its subcontractors were EPA-certified to perform such work in pre-1978 housing where lead-based paint is likely to be present. ProBuild also failed to keep records indicating compliance with lead-safe work practices, failed to provide owners with the required "Renovate Right" pamphlet, and failed to ensure that a certified renovator was involved in the lead-based-paint renovations.
“Exposure to lead-based paint is one of the most common sources of lead poisoning in children,” EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator John Busterud said in a public statement. “It is important that contractors be EPA-certified and use lead-safe work practices when working on homes with lead-based paint.”
