California Companies Fined for Failure to Comply with Federal Lead-Based Paint Rules

Earlier this month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it had fined two California companies over $45k for failing to comply with federal lead-based paint rules. The violations occurred at residential properties in Southern California. 

According to the EPA, one of the companies, a general contractor from Santa Ana, that renovated three residential properties in Cypress, Newport Beach, and Norwalk, failed to follow proper procedures. The other company out of Oakland is one of the largest lessors of single-family homes in the United States. It entered into leases at five pre-1978 homes located in Riverside and San Bernardino without properly disclosing information about lead-based paint or lead hazards to tenants.  

Residential and commercial properties built before 1978 may contain lead-based paints. As the paint begins to degrade, or is disturbed during renovation or demolition activities, it can pose a lead poisoning risk to people living or working in the area.   

“Residential properties with lead-based paints are of particular concern because children are especially sensitive to exposure due to their developing brain and nervous system,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Garden Grove facility. “Lead exposure can affect nearly every system in the body and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Lead poisoning is entirely preventable by identifying lead hazards and avoiding exposure risks.”   

LA Testing provides analytical solutions, sampling supplies and even consumer test kits to identify this toxic heavy metal. To learn more about lead testing services or other environmental and indoor air quality (IAQ) issues, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. To obtain a Lead in Paint & Dust Test Kit, please visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

 About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other substances.  In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states.  LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Sierra Madre, Garden Grove, San Leandro and San Diego.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

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LA Testing

(1) 8563032503

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