Eight home renovation companies in the St. Louis area have agreed to pay over $65,000 collectively in penalties to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to resolve alleged violations of the federal Toxic Substances Control Act.
According to EPA, the following companies failed to comply with regulations that reduce the hazards of lead-based paint exposure during renovations:
- A New Look Remodeling LLC
- Advanced Environmental Services Inc.
- Duneman Demolition Inc.
- Fitzsimmons & Associates Inc.
- G.A. Chott and Associates Inc.
- JT McDermott Remodeling Contractors LLC
- Property Maintenance and Development LLC
- Smart Maintenance LLC
EPA states that seven of these companies performed renovations on properties built prior to 1978 without obtaining renovator certification from EPA, as required by federal law. Other violations included failure to retain and produce required records and failure to follow lead-safe work practices during renovations.
“Certification is a key requirement to ensure that renovators know how to properly handle and dispose of lead-based paint and to notify residents of the presence of lead-based paint hazards,” said Jodi Bruno, acting director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “Reducing exposure to lead – especially among children and pregnant women and in communities already overburdened with pollution exposure – is a top priority for EPA.”
Lead-contaminated dust from disturbed lead-based paint in homes built prior to 1978 is one of the most common causes of elevated blood lead levels in children. Infants and children are especially vulnerable because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults do, and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to its damaging effects. They may experience irreversible and lifelong health effects. Lead dust can be generated when lead-based paint is disturbed by renovation work, such as window installation; demolishing painted surfaces like walls or porches; and scraping and repainting homes.
Companies and individuals performing home renovations or hiring subcontractors for pre-1978 housing must comply with regulations under EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Program. The regulations include requirements for training employees in proper work practices; obtaining certification from EPA before performing renovations; complying with lead safety practices; retaining records; and notifying homeowners about renovation-related lead exposure hazards.
Please visit these EPA websites for additional information on lead paint:
- EPA’s Lead page
- Lead RRP Rule
- Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Rule
- Find a Lead-Safe Certified Firm
- Apply for Lead-Safe Certification
- Lead Poisoning Awareness Infographics
- Report Lead-Based Paint Complaints, Tips, and Violations
