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EPA Settles With Third Renovator That Violated Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule at Kansas City Power & Light Building

12/15/2016

Contact Information:

913-551-7940

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Lenexa, Kan., Dec. 15, 2016) - EPA Region 7 conducted a random inspection for lead-based paint renovation work practices at the Kansas City Power & Light (KCPL) building in Kansas City, Mo., in June 2015, as well as a records inspection for the project in July 2015, which revealed violations of the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule. As a part of a settlement, Construction & Abatement Services, Inc., of Lee’s Summit, Mo., has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $18,578.

The agency announced Sept. 12, 2016, that it concluded two other administrative consent agreements and final orders related to construction work at the KCPL building. Jim Plunkett, Inc., of Kansas City, Mo., agreed to pay a civil penalty of $4,690, and B&R Insulation of Lenexa, Kan., agreed to pay a civil penalty of $7,900, both related to violations of the RRP Rule.

Construction & Abatement Services performed the interior demolition in the KCPL building in downtown Kansas City, Mo. The structure, built in 1931, is a commercial building currently being converted to house more than 200 residential apartments.

The 2015 inspections revealed that Construction & Abatement Services failed to:

Post signs that clearly define the work area
Have a certified renovator perform a visual inspection to determine whether dust, debris or residue was present after the renovation
Clean the work area until no dust, debris or residue remains
Seal all paint chips and debris in a heavy-duty bag
Retain records documenting lead-safe work practices
Retain records documenting compliance with job training

The RRP Rule requires that contractors who work on pre-1978 dwellings and child-occupied facilities are trained and certified to use lead-safe work practices. This ensures that common renovation and repair activities like sanding, cutting, and replacing windows minimize the creation and dispersion of dangerous lead dust. EPA finalized the RRP Rule in 2008 and the rule took effect on April 22, 2010.

This enforcement action addresses RRP Rule violations that could result in harm to human health. Lead exposure can cause a range of adverse health effects, from behavioral disorders and learning disabilities to seizures and death, putting young children at the greatest risk because their nervous systems are still developing. Today at least 4 million households have children that are being exposed to high levels of lead. There are approximately half a million U.S. children ages 1-5 with blood lead levels above 5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL), the reference level at which the Centers for Disease Control recommends public health actions be initiated.