Lowe’s to Pay $12.5 Million in Nationwide Lead Paint Settlement

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced a proposed nationwide settlement with Lowe’s Home Centers LLC, a subsidiary of Lowe’s Companies Inc., to resolve alleged violations of the EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule.

The violations stem from renovation work performed by Lowe’s contractors at hundreds of homes across the country, primarily between 2019 and 2021. As part of the settlement, Lowe’s will pay a $12.5 million penalty and is required to significantly improve its compliance program for renovations in homes that may contain lead-based paint.

The RRP rule is designed to protect families from the harmful effects of lead dust generated during renovation activities in homes built before 1978.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the DOJ’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) emphasized the importance of following the law. “Careless handling of lead paint endangers the health of children and other Americans,” Gustafson said. “The stiff penalty Lowe’s will pay reflects the importance of using certified firms and contractors in older home renovations.”

Acting Assistant Administrator Craig Pritzlaff of the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) reinforced the health concerns, stating, “Noncompliance with EPA regulations... can endanger families, especially young children and infants. Through this enforcement action, Lowe’s will help protect their customers from the harmful effects of lead by ensuring that renovation work in homes built before 1978 is conducted by certified contractors using lead-safe practices.”

 A key component of the settlement agreement is the requirement for Lowe’s to implement a comprehensive, corporate-wide program. This initiative is designed to ensure that the firms and installers the company hires are fully qualified to use lead-safe work practices, thereby avoiding the spread of lead dust and paint chips during home renovations.

The EPA found that the alleged violations occurred after Lowe’s failed to successfully implement the compliance terms of a previous 2014 settlement with the agency. The EPA discovered some of the alleged violations during investigations prompted by periodic compliance reports submitted by Lowe’s, as well as a public tip regarding work in southern and central California.

Lead-based paint was banned for residential use in 1978, but it remains in many older homes and apartments. Lead exposure, often caused by dust created when the paint deteriorates or is disturbed during remodeling, poses a serious health risk. Effects range from behavioral disorders and learning disabilities to more severe health issues. Young children are considered to be at the most significant risk due to their developing nervous systems.

The consent decree for the settlement was lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and is currently subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval.