San Francisco, June 30, 2005 — A Los Angeles-based property owner has agreed to pay the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency $13,675 for violating federal lead-based paint disclosure requirements at over 50 rental units in Tucson, Ariz.

 

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"Those who sell or rent housing built before 1978 have a duty to provide information to protect families and especially children from lead hazards," said Enrique Manzanilla, the director of the EPA's Communities and Ecosystems Division for the Pacific Southwest region.

Liberty National Enterprises failed to provide renters of these units with an EPA-approved lead information pamphlet and to include in its leases a lead warning statement, a statement of knowledge about lead-based paint in the units, an identification of any records available regarding lead-based paint in the units, a statement by renters affirming receipt of lead information and dated signatures certifying the accuracy of their statements. These failures resulted in numerous violations of federal lead-based paint disclosure requirements.

An estimated three-quarters of the U.S. housing stock built before 1978 contains some lead-based paint. Lead-based paint endangers the health of American children in as many as 4 million homes. Lead poisoning in children can have serious, long-term consequences including intelligence deficiencies, learning disabilities, hearing impairment, hyperactivity and/or behavioral problems.

The Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act helps prevent exposure — especially the exposure of children — to hazards from lead-based paint by requiring disclosure and notification when selling or leasing applicable housing. Children under six years of age are among the most vulnerable population to adverse health risks from lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards such as dust and contaminated soil.

Federal law requires that persons and entities who sell or rent housing built before 1978 must: provide an EPA-approved lead hazard information pamphlet; include lead notification language in sales and rental forms; disclose any known lead-based paint hazards and provide reports to buyers or renters; allow a lead inspection or risk assessment by home buyers; and maintain records certifying compliance with applicable federal requirements for three years.