G.D. Friend, Inc. (operating as Home Energy Solutions), has been fined $28,564 by the EPA for violations to the Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rule, the Environmental Protection Agency announced today. The Anaheim, Calif.-based company performed two renovations on two homes in February and March 2014 and failed not only to obtain EPA certification, but also to give homeowners the EPA’s Renovate Right brochure. In addition, the company failed to document its lead-safe practices and did not use a certified renovator to perform all of the lead-based paint tasks.
The RRP rule is designed to protect homeowners and their families from the hazards associated with renovating homes built before 1978 where lead-based paint is present. Normal remodeling processes such as demolition can result in hazardous lead-infused dust. This dust is hazardous to people of all ages, but is especially threatening to children. Because they are still growing and developing, children have an increased risk of absorbing lead into their brains, which can lead to serious issues such as learning problems and slowed growth.
Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s regional administrator for the Pacific Southwest, assures that the EPA will continue to enforce the RRP rule proactively. “EPA will take enforcement action against companies to ensure they follow proper lead-safety procedures,” Blumenfeld says.
