California Real Estate Services Firm Settles with the EPA for Lead Paint Violations

Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with a real estate services firm for failing to properly disclose the potential presence of lead when selling several residential properties in Southern California.

The EPA reported that the company will pay a penalty of nearly $20,000 and spend about $60,000 to purchase equipment to test blood lead levels in children. At least 21 blood lead analyzers will be donated to non-profit community health clinics throughout the area as well.

An EPA inspection found that between 2010 and 2012, the company failed to provide, or to document having provided, home buyers with:

• Information about the presence of lead-based paint in the home.
• A 10-day period in which to conduct a lead-based paint inspection or risk assessment.
• A sales contract that included a lead warning statement, a lead disclosure along with reports pertaining to lead-based paint, and confirmation that the seller had complied with all lead notification requirements.
• An EPA-approved brochure that provides information on identifying and controlling lead-based paint hazards.

“To prevent lead poisoning exposure risks, people buying, renting or leasing a property need to know if lead-based paints are present in a property,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Companies must follow the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Real Estate Notification and Disclosure Rule. The rule requires landlords, property managers, real estate agents and others who sell or rent houses built before 1978 to provide lead hazard information to buyers or tenants.”

To help companies comply with lead regulations and to protect the public, LA Testing offers comprehensive lead testing services, sampling supplies and easy-to-use test kits. They have also sponsored an educational video about protecting children from lead poisoning that can be seen at:  http://youtu.be/LkEqFhNDS-U.

To learn more about lead or other indoor air quality, occupational and environmental testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794.  For access to a Lead in Paint & Dust Test Kit, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. 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, NVLAP, CDC ELITE, 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 Huntington Beach, San Diego, San Leandro and South Pasadena.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

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