EPA Inspection Reveals Violations of Renovation,
Repair and Painting Rule for Sedalia, Mo., Renovation
Company
Environmental News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Lenexa, Kan., June 2, 2014) - EPA Region 7
conducted a Record Keeping Inspection of M&L
Construction, a Sedalia, Mo., home remodeling
company specializing in fire and water restoration,
in August 2012, which revealed violations of
the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule.
M&L Construction has agreed to pay a $9,548
civil penalty to settle allegations that it
violated the RRP Rule.
According to an administrative consent agreement
and final order filed by EPA Region 7 in Lenexa,
Kan., the inspection revealed that M&L Construction
failed to become a certified firm; failed to
hand out the Renovate Right pamphlet to a homeowner;
failed to retain records documenting lead-safe
work practices; and failed to assign a certified
renovator to projects.
M&L Construction was legally required to
use proper lead-safe work practices during renovations
and provide owners and occupants of the properties
with an EPA-approved lead hazard information
pamphlet, known as the Renovate Right pamphlet,
before starting renovations at the properties.
The Renovate Right pamphlet helps homeowners
and tenants understand the risks of lead-based
paint, and how best to minimize these risks
to protect themselves and their families. M&L
Construction did not provide this pamphlet,
assign a certified renovator to a renovation,
or maintain lead-safe work practice records.
EPA became involved in this case as a result
of information received from a tip and complaint.
The RRP Rule requires that contractors that
work on pre-1978 dwellings and child-occupied
facilities are trained and certified to use
lead-safe work practices. This ensures that
common renovation and repair activities, like
sanding, cutting and replacing windows, minimize
the creation and dispersion of dangerous lead
dust. EPA finalized the RRP Rule in 2008 and
the rule took effect on April 22, 2010.
Emergency renovations are those performed in
response to situations necessitating immediate
action to address safety or public health hazards
or threats of significant damage to equipment
or property. Many renovators are unfamiliar
with the limitations to emergency renovation
situations. The need for immediate action relieves
firms from some, but not all, lead-safe work
requirements. Once the emergency renovation
is over, the typical Renovation, Repair and
Painting rules apply.
This enforcement action addresses RRP Rule violations
that could result in harm to human health. 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.
Today, at least 4 million households have children
living in them that are being exposed to high
levels of lead. There are approximately half
a million U.S. children ages 1-5 with blood-lead
levels above 5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL),
the reference level at which CDC recommends
public health actions be initiated.