E.P.A. Inspection Reveals Violations of Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule for Envirotech, Incorporated in Saint Louis, Mo.

(Lenexa, Kan., Oct. 8, 2015) - E.P.A. Region seven conducted a random Work Practices Inspection on Aug. 5, 2014, under the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule at Envirotech, Inc., a renovation firm that performs renovations in the Saint Louis, Mo., area. The inspection revealed that Envirotech, Incorporated failed to use lead-safe work practices and provide the Renovate Right pamphlet, which are violations of the RRP Rule.

As part of a settlement with EPA, Envirotech, Incorporated has agreed to pay a $14,024 penalty as a result of RRP Rule violations associated with the extensive renovation of 2 unoccupied 12-unit apartment buildings built in 1920 in University City, Mo.

According to an administrative consent arrangement and final order filed by E.P.A. Region seven in Lenexa, Kan., the inspection revealed that Envirotech, Incorporated failed to provide the Renovate Right pamphlet to the owner; failed to post signs that clearly define the work area; failed to close all doors and windows within the work area; failed to contain waste from renovation activities and to prevent the release of dust and debris before the waste is removed from the work area for storage or disposal and/or failure to cover a chute if it is used to remove waste from the work area; and failed to cover the floor surface with taped-down plastic sheeting or other impermeable material in the work area 6 feet beyond the perimeter of surfaces undergoing renovation or sufficient distance to contain dust.

The RRP Rule requires that renovators who 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. E.P.A. finalized the RRP Rule in 2008 and the rule took effect on April 22, 2010.

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 four million households have children 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 five micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL), the reference level at which the Centers for Disease Control recommends public health actions be initiated.

There are currently no comments for this story. Be the first to add a comment!
Click here to add a comment about this story.