Feds penalize Lowe’s home improvement over claims of lead paint violations
Lowe’s has agreed to pay $12.5 million in civil fines to resolve allegations that the North Carolina-based home improvement retailer violated federal lead-safe renovation practices.
The Mooresville-based retail giant violated the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule, primarily between 2019 and 2021, from work performed by Lowe’s contractors at “hundreds of homes across the country,” according to the U.S. Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency.
The rule is designed to protect families from exposure to hazardous lead-based paint dust generated during home renovations.
“Careless handling of lead paint endangers the health of children and other Americans,” Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division said in Tuesday’s announcement. “The stiff penalty Lowe’s will pay reflects the importance of using certified firms and contractors in older home renovations.”
A 2014 Consent Decree had already been entered, but the EPA, which investigated the case, said Lowe’s failed to comply with it.
Lowe’s denied any wrongdoing but agreed to a new settlement to avoid litigation, according to the second consent decree filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on Tuesday. Lowe’s did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
As part of the settlement, Lowe’s also agreed to adopt stricter compliance, monitoring and education measures companywide to ensure compliance with lead-safe renovation practices, the federal agencies said.
Why contractors must be certified
Banned in 1978, lead-based paint remains a hazard in older homes nationwide.
Lead dust, created when the paint is disturbed, can cause health issues, including behavioral problems, learning disabilities, seizures, and even death, according to the EPA. Children ages 6 and younger are most at risk due to their developing nervous systems.
Anyone working on a home built before 1978 is legally required to be certified. The rule safeguards customers by ensuring certified contractors are using lead-safe practices, EPA Acting Assistant Administrator Craig Pritzlaff said in the statement.
EPA investigates Lowe’s
EPA investigators discovered the alleged violations by Lowe’s contractors after reviewing problems disclosed in compliance reports from the previous 2014 consent decree at over 250 home renovation jobs in 23 states.
A tip from the public concerning door replacements and other renovation work performed by a Lowe’s-hired firm in southern and central California uncovered more issues, according to the federal agencies. The settlement agreement has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. A 30-day public comment period is open before final court approval.
As of Aug. 1, Lowe’s operates over 1,753 stores. Lowe’s employs about 300,000 people, mostly hourly. Lowe’s has about 11,000 employees in the Charlotte region, including 5,000 corporate workers.
