U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced a settlement with a painting company in Maine regarding improper lead paint violations.
IDK Ventures, which operates as CertaPro Painters of Maine out of its headquarters in Westbrooke, Maine, paid a $16,636 fine and is now certified in compliance with the federal Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, according to a Jan. 24 EPA news release.
"Protecting children's health by reducing lead exposure is a major priority for EPA under the Biden administration," EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash said in the release. "Ensuring that renovation projects of homes and facilities where children can be exposed to lead are conducted safely is imperative."
EPA's investigation into CertaPro Painters was prompted by complaints the agency received from homeowners in the state about how their painting projects by subcontractors were handled over the last couple of years, according to the news release. Among other things, CertaPro Painters failed to insure painters were certified renovators or had been trained by a certified renovator, assign a certified renovator to each renovation, cover the ground with appropriate sheeting and make sure all ducts were covered.
CertaPro Painters were involved in renovations of at least two properties that were home to children between aged 6 and 17, the release reported.
Lead exposure is a serious health hazard, the release reported.
"Lead poisoning can cause lifelong health, learning and behavior problems," Cash said in the release. "Employing safe work practices during renovation projects can help prevent lead poisoning. This is even more important considering that many historically overburdened communities both in parts of Maine and throughout New England suffer from higher rates of childhood lead poisoning."
