Bay Area companies fined over lead paint noncompliance

The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced a dozen enforcement actions it has taken in the last year that stemmed from companies in the San Francisco area not following safety rules regarding lead paint. The EPA said the moves against the construction firms will serve to protect Bay Area residents.

The EPA found 11 companies in violation of safety requirements after failing to obtain certification prior to performing renovations in San Francisco Unified School District elementary schools as well as area homes.  Those businesses are required to comply with procedure and remit a collective total of $42,000 in penalties.

Additionally, the agency reached a $38,990 settlement with one Oakland contractor that the EPA determined had not only neglected certification, but also failed to keep records and provide clients with federally required information.

During typical remodeling and demolition projects, surrounding surfaces can be contaminated with lead-containing dust or chips, potentially poisoning inhabitants and workers.

“Lead paint is one of the most common sources of lead poisoning in children,” Alexis Strauss, the EPA's acting regional administrator for the Pacific Southwest, said. “With its new policy, San Francisco Unified sets a strong example of how a school district can protect students from lead dust resulting from renovation.”

The EPA’s "Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule," enacted in 2010, mandates that buildings constructed prior to 1978 be renovated only by certified professionals who follow lead-safe work practices.