Arizona remodeling companies Davis Kitchens and Holtzman Home Improvement will pay a total of $42,406 to settle allegations that both companies violated the EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced July 11.
According to the EPA’s news release, Davis Kitchens will pay a $24,091 civil penalty for performing work in a Tuscon, Ariz., home without EPA certification. The EPA says Davis Kitchens failed to provide records indicating compliance with lead-safe work practices, post signs indicating the dangers, or take steps to prevent exposures to potentially lead-containing dust and materials.
Tempe-based Holtzman will pay a $18,315 civil penalty. The EPA says Holtzman lacked EPA renovation certification, did not retain records, and failed to ensure a certified renovator performed work at a pre-1978 home where lead-based paint may have been present.
RRP 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.
In addition to paying to settle the claim, Holtzman Home Improvements has become EPA certified.
