Since the beginning of the year, ZOTA Professional Training has been traveling nationwide to bring the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead Renovator training to new markets, including Phoenix Arizona, as well as multiple cities across California. And it’s a good thing too, as just last week the EPA announced six lead paint enforcement actions between those two states alone, totaling $287,000 in settlements.
“Lead paint is one of the most common sources of lead poisoning in children. EPA’s diligent enforcement of federal lead paint laws is not only necessary to protect communities across the country, but also ensures those who break the law are held accountable,” said Alexis Strauss, EPA’s Acting Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest.
EPA settled with the following companies for violations of the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule:
- Best Value Home Improvements (Oakland, Calif.) – $38,990 penalty
- Holland and Harley Construction (Berkeley, Calif.) – $14,210 penalty
- K Kittle LLC, known as Rebath and 5 Day Kitchens (Phoenix, Ariz.) – $19,810 penalty
- Renovation Realty (San Diego, Calif.) – $41,633 penalty
- Simply Building (Daly City, Calif.) – $24,105 penalty
In addition to the penalties, each company made corrections to their operations, including becoming EPA-certified, for those not already certified.
EPA also settled with Haven Homes (El Segundo, Calif.) for $148,618 for violations of the Real Estate Notification and Disclosure Rule. In addition to the penalty, Haven Homes corrected company practices to become compliant with the notification and disclosure rule.
The EPA created the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule to protect the public, particularly children under the age of 6, from lead paint hazards that occur during repair and remodeling activities in pre-1978 homes and child-occupied facilities. The rule requires that individuals performing renovations are properly trained, receive their lead certification, and follow lead-safe work practices.
Read the full news release here.
