U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 7
11201 Renner Blvd., Lenexa, KS 66219
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal
Nations
EPA Inspection Reveals Violations of Renovation,
Repair, and Painting Rule by Home Renovation Company
of Joplin, Mo.
Contact Information: Angela Brees, 913-551-7940
brees.angela@epa.gov
Environmental News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Lenexa, Kan., February 4, 2016) – EPA Region
7 conducted a recordkeeping inspection in response
to a tip and complaint regarding Home Pro in Joplin,
Mo., that revealed violations of the Renovation,
Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule. As part of a
settlement with EPA filed in Lenexa, Kan., the
company has agreed to pay a $5,978 penalty to
the United States.
The Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule seeks
to reduce lead exposure from toxic lead dust that
can be disturbed during renovations and repairs.
The rule regulates lead-based paint activities,
including renovation of residences built prior
to 1978, and the certification of individuals
and firms who are involved in these activities.
The recordkeeping inspection conducted in October
2014 at Home Pro, a home renovation company, revealed
that the company failed to obtain written acknowledgement
from homeowners that they received a Renovate
Right pamphlet prior to renovations, and to retain
records documenting lead safe work practices.
Lead exposure can cause a range of adverse health
effects, from behavioral disorders and learning
disabilities to seizures and death, putting young
children at the greatest risk because their nervous
systems are still developing. A national survey
of lead and allergens in housing conducted by
HUD estimates that 38 million occupied housing
units (about 40 percent of all housing units)
in the United States contain some lead-based paint.
There are approximately 500,000 U.S. children
ages 1-5 with blood lead levels above 5 micrograms
per deciliter (µg/dL), the reference level at
which the Centers for Disease Control recommends
public health actions be initiated.
If you suspect the Lead Renovation, Repair and
Painting (RRP) Rule has been violated at a recently
completed or ongoing renovation project, EPA encourages
you to contact Region 7 at 1-800-223-0425 or by
using the electronic form available at http://www.epa.gov/ks/forms/region-7-contact-us-about-lead-tips-and-complaints.