With regard to alleged violations of the federal Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting regulations (RRP) at the renovation projects carried out by Logan Square Aluminum and its contractors in Chicago and the Chicago suburbs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a settlement with the Russellville based aluminium rolling mill.
According to the terms of the court settlement, Logan Square will put in place a thorough procedure to make sure that all of its contractors are licenced and taught to employ lead-safe work methods to prevent the creation of lead dust during home restoration projects.
The renovation encompasses the majority of the repair, remodelling, and maintenance tasks including carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and window replacement since it disrupts painted surfaces. For the sake of safeguarding the health and safety of families, particularly young children under the age of six who are most vulnerable to lead dangers, Logan Aluminum and its contractors are each accountable for adhering to the RRP regulations. The company must only cooperate with EPA-certified companies and renovators on these projects to make sure they keep their certification current, follow lead-safe work practices, and keep checklists of their work during restorations.
Following a separate administrative settlement agreement, Logan Square also agreed to pay a $400,000 fine and spend $2 million to remove lead-based paint from lower-income homes in Chicago and its suburbs in areas where lead poisoning in children is more common.
"Lead exposure from lead-based paint continues to be a hazard for American families living in older homes, and children in those homes are particularly vulnerable. This settlement requires Logan Square Aluminum Supply, Inc. to take necessary steps to ensure that it meets appropriate safety requirements in future renovation projects that may disturb lead-based paint," said Larry Starfield, EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.
After receiving complaints from clients regarding a project completed in Evanston, Illinois, EPA initially learned of the potential infractions. EPA discovered that Logan Aluminum regularly outsourced work to unlicensed companies, did not follow lead-safe work practises, executed the necessary post-renovation cleaning, and gave residents the pamphlets needed by the EPA, or kept records of compliance.
They will also include a link to the EPA's information on lead-safe work practices on their website. Additionally, the company shall examine any allegations of potential noncompliance, take appropriate action in cases where a contractor is not operating per the RRP regulation, and ensure that any breaches are remedied and reported to EPA.
"Companies that renovate homes built before 1978 must ensure that they hire EPA-certified contractors and follow other EPA rules requiring lead safe work practices. We will take aggressive action against companies that do not take these important steps," said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division.
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