The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a settlement with ProBuild Company LLC (ProBuild), for failing to comply with federal lead-based paint requirements. The firm will pay a $48,060 penalty for residential remodeling work in San Diego, Calif. The subcontractors hired to perform the work failed to comply with the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule, which requires them to take steps to protect the public from exposure to lead, according to the EPA

“Exposure to lead-based paint is one of the most common sources of lead poisoning in children,” said John Busterud, EPA Pacific Southwest regional administrator. “It is important that contractors be EPA-certified and use lead-safe work practices when working on homes with lead-based paint.”

The violations pertained to work performed by ProBuild and its subcontractors at multiple homes in the San Diego area. An EPA inspection found that ProBuild did not ensure the subcontractors it hired were EPA-certified to perform such work in pre-1978 housing where lead-based paint is assumed to be present. The company also failed to: keep records indicating compliance with lead-safe work practices, comply with some of those work practices, provide owners with the required “Renovate Right” pamphlet, and ensure a certified renovator was involved in the lead-based paint renovations.

The Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule was created to protect the public from lead-based paint hazards that occur during repair or remodeling activities in homes and child-occupied facilities, such as schools, that were built before 1978. The rule requires that individuals performing renovations be properly trained and certified and follow lead-safe work practices.