The U.S. Environmental Protection Company (EPA) and the Office of Justice currently introduced a proposed nationwide settlement with Household Depot U.S.A. Inc. resolving alleged violations of the EPA’s Direct Renovation, Repair and Portray (RRP) Rule at house renovations carried out by Property Depot’s contractors across the state. The States of Utah, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, which have EPA-authorized RRP systems, are signing up for the United States in this motion.
The settlement, in a consent decree lodged with the District Court docket for the Northern District of Ga, necessitates House Depot to put into action a detailed, company-vast plan to ensure that the companies and contractors it hires to perform work are qualified and qualified to use guide-secure do the job tactics to avoid spreading lead dust and paint chips during residence renovation activities. House Depot will also spend a $20.75 million penalty, the maximum civil penalty received to day for a settlement below the Harmful Substances Manage Act. Of the $20.75 million penalty, $750,000 will be compensated to Utah, $732,000 to Massachusetts, and $50,000 to Rhode Island.
“These have been major violations. The rigid penalty Household Depot will fork out reflects the significance of applying qualified firms and contractors in older residence renovations,” reported Principal Deputy Assistant Legal professional Normal Jonathan D. Brightbill of the Justice Department’s Setting and Pure Means Division. “Contractors hired for most operate in residences built prior to 1978, when guide based mostly paint was in popular use, ought to be qualified. These contractors have the instruction to understand and protect against the dangers that can be designed when lead paint is disturbed.”
“Today’s settlement will substantially lessen children’s publicity to guide paint dangers,” said Susan Bodine, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Business of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Home Depot will implement program-large improvements to guarantee that contractors who accomplish get the job done in households made ahead of 1978 are EPA-licensed and follow guide-secure procedures. EPA expects all renovation corporations to ensure their contractors stick to these significant laws that guard public health.”
EPA learned the alleged violations when investigating 5 purchaser complaints about Household Depot renovations (in Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin), which showed Property Depot subcontracted perform to firms that in some instances did not use lead-harmless get the job done procedures, accomplish required put up-renovation cleaning, give the EPA-demanded guide-dependent paint pamphlets to occupants, or sustain documents of compliance with the regulation.
EPA then executed a comprehensive review of Property Depot’s information of renovations executed through the United States and recognized hundreds of cases in which Dwelling Depot despatched uncertified companies to complete renovations that essential qualified and skilled corporations. In addition, EPA determined instances in which Home Depot unsuccessful to build, keep, or supply compliance documentation showing that distinct contractors experienced been accredited by EPA, had been thoroughly qualified, and had utilised guide-secure do the job practices in jobs performed in houses.
For the most major violations addressed by the settlement, Home Depot offered its prospects inspections using accredited specialists and, if dust lead dangers have been discovered, it carried out specialised cleaning and verification.
Underneath the settlement, Residence Depot will put into action a organization-broad plan to ensure that the contractors it hires to accomplish perform for its prospects comply with the RRP Rule during renovations of properties built right before 1978. To do this, Home Depot is applying an electronic compliance method to verify that the contractors it hires are properly certified. Home Depot will also have to have its contractors to use a specific checklist to document compliance and deliver the concluded checklist to the buyer. The checklist will guide the contactors via the methods required for RRP Rule compliance. Home Depot will also carry out thousands of on-web site inspections of function performed by its contractors to make sure they comply with guide-protected operate methods. Home Depot have to also investigate and answer to customer issues. In occasions where the contractor did not comply with Direct Risk-free Perform methods Residence Depot will perform an inspection for dust guide dangers and, if they are uncovered, give a specialised cleansing. EPA will observe Property Depot’s responses to shopper complaints.
In addition to the necessities relevant to its renovations, Residence Depot will provide essential info about subsequent guide-safe and sound work tactics to its specialist and do-it-your self buyers in its stores, on its website, on YouTube, and in workshops. The RRP Rule does not implement to do-it-on your own tasks in your individual household. However, the EPA recommends utilizing the rule’s direct-secure work methods in your have household assignments, so this important info will assistance families learn how to properly execute household enhancement assignments to safeguard them selves, and their youngsters.
Household direct-primarily based paint use was banned in 1978 but nonetheless continues to be in quite a few more mature homes and residences throughout the country. Lead dust hazards can manifest when lead paint deteriorates or is disrupted during dwelling renovation and transforming pursuits. Direct publicity can cause a variety of health and fitness complications, from behavioral problems and understanding disabilities to seizures and loss of life, placing youthful children at the greatest chance since their anxious devices are nonetheless acquiring. A blood lead test is the only way to decide if a youngster has a large lead degree. Mother and father who feel their youngster has been in get hold of with lead dust really should contact their kid’s health treatment provider.
The consent decree is subject matter to a 30-working day community remark period of time and ultimate court acceptance. To check out a duplicate of the consent decree and for data on how to submit a remark, visit www.justice.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html.
Even more information and facts about the settlement is offered on EPA’s web site at: https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/home-depot-settlement-facts-sheet. To make a complaint about lead safe perform observe violations, see EPA’s internet site hyperlink at:
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Division of Justice. Discover extra about the heritage of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Yrs.