The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently reported 75 enforcement actions against businesses that violated the Lead-based Paint Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) regulation within the last 12 months. The number increased from 61 during the previous reporting period in 2014.

The RRP Rule, which is part of the federal Toxic Substances Control Act, is intended to protect occupants – primarily children under age 6 and pregnant women – from exposure to lead dust and debris during renovations in homes built before 1978. Remodelers are required to receive specific training and certification regarding lead-safe work practices to perform such renovations.

Penalties for violators varied based on the severity of the offense. Among the 75 companies, 10 were fined between $10,000 and $20,000; six were fined between $20,000 and $50,000; and two were ordered to pay fines exceeding $50,000.

Nineteen others made expedited settlement agreements with EPA to quickly resolve minor lead-based paint offenses (not including work practice violations) with a reduced penalty of $2,000 or less.

About two-thirds of the cases involved failure to obtain an EPA firm certification or Lead-Safe Certified Renovator status before remodeling pre-1978-built homes and facilities. More than half of the cases cited violations of work practice standards.

For more information about how to comply with the RRP rule, visit nahb.org/leadpaint.