PHILADELPHIA (April 11, 2018) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced a settlement with Advanced Windows Inc. of Frederick, Maryland to address alleged environmental violations during window replacement work at a development in Alexandria, Virginia.
The company allegedly violated EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule (RRP rule) and the Toxic Substances Control Act. EPA’s RRP rule helps protect the public from toxic lead hazards created by renovation activities involving lead-based paint.
Under the terms of the settlement, Advanced Windows Inc. will pay a $67,180 penalty and has certified with the EPA that they are now in compliance.
EPA alleged that during window replacement work Advanced Windows Inc. failed to comply with various RRP safeguards, including:
- Failing to provide both the owner and adult occupants with an EPA-approved lead hazard pamphlet;
- Failing to post warning signs; and
- Failing to retain records demonstrating compliance with lead safe work practices.
RRP safeguards are designed to ensure that “lead safe” practices are followed during the renovation and repair activities on housing built before the 1978 federal ban on lead-based paint.
Infants, children under the age of 6, and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to lead exposure, which even at low levels, can cause lifelong impacts including developmental impairment, learning disabilities, impaired hearing, reduced attention span, hyperactivity and behavioral problems. Because of these health risks, the U.S. banned lead-based paint in 1978. However, EPA estimates that lead-based paint is still present in more than 30 million homes nationwide.
Reducing childhood lead exposure and addressing associated health impacts is a top priority for the Trump Administration and EPA. On February 16, Administrator Scott Pruitt hosted key members of the Trump Administration to collaborate on a federal strategy making childhood lead exposure a priority for their respective departments and agencies.
More information on the federal strategy to reduce childhood lead exposure: https://www.epa.gov/
For more information on the RRP program, visit http://www.epa.gov/lead/