City Business Facing Fines of $90K for Lead Paint Violations

A Portsmouth company is facing more than $90,000 in fines from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for alleged lead paint violations.

According to David Deegan, an EPA spokesman at the federal agency's Boston office, New Hampshire Plate Glass Corp. committed the alleged violations while doing some painting and renovation work at the former Frisbee School in Kittery, Maine, which now serves as the Frisbee Commons Community Center.

Deegan wrote in the EPA press release the Kittery site was, at the time of the renovation, a child-occupied facility subject to EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule.

He indicated the violations were brought to EPA’s attention via an anonymous tip, after which EPA and Maine Department of Environmental Protection performed an inspection of the site in February 2012.

"Based on the inspection, EPA determined that the company had not complied with the required work practice requirements of the RRP Rule, including failure to assign a certified renovator to the work site; failure to cover ground with plastic sheeting; and failure to contain waste from the renovation activity," Deegan wrote.

Deegan explained the EPA’s RRP Rule is designed to prevent exposure to lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards. He noted the rule, which went into effect on April 22, 2010, requires individuals performing renovations for compensation at most pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities to be properly trained.

Deegan also wrote that exposure to lead-based paint is a health hazard for children and adults. He wrote that infants and young children are especially vulnerable to lead paint exposure, which can cause developmental impairment, reading and learning disabilities, impaired hearing, reduced attention span, hyperactivity and behavioral problems. He also noted that adults with high lead levels can suffer difficulties during pregnancy, high blood pressure, nerve disorders, memory problems and muscle and joint pain.