EPA lead paint settlement has reality TV twist

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has for several decades sought ways to reinforce to remodeling, renovation and demolition contractors the importance of properly handling lead paint to protect the health and safety of workers, tenants and property owners.

A settlement reached in January with an Arkansas-based contractor tries an added twist: mandating the contractor work with producers of a reality TV show to provide information about lead safety.

As part of the EPA's settlement agreement with Bella Vista, Arkansas-based Marrs Construction Co., Marrs agrees to provide information about lead safety rules on the TV show “Fixer to Fabulous” on the HGTV network and through Marrs’ social media sites.

The settlement was reached as a way to address the EPA’s accusation that the company violated aspects of the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule. Under the settlement, Marrs also is required to pay a $35,000 civil penalty.

The EPA says the Marrs incident is one of multiple cases it has settled involving improper lead-based paint renovation practices demonstrated on home renovation TV shows.

In 2018, according to the EPA, Marrs performed two renovations at residential properties constructed prior to 1978 without complying with applicable RRP Rule requirements. Specifically, the EPA says Marrs failed to: obtain recertification before beginning renovations; assign a certified renovator to each renovation; maintain records showing their compliance with RRP measures; and perform work in accordance with the work practice standards.

Since being contacted by EPA, Marrs has obtained RRP firm certification, certified it is complying with the RRP Rule and pledged to comply in all future renovation activities, according to the agency.

“It’s important the public understand that any renovation, repair or painting project in a pre-1978 home can easily create dangerous lead dust or expose children to dangerous, sometimes deadly, paint chips,” says David M. Uhlmann, assistant administrator at the EPA.

As part of the settlement, Marrs will help raise awareness about the EPA Lead RRP program by including educational information about compliance with the Lead RRP Rules in future episodes of “Fixer to Fabulous,” involving one episode in its upcoming fifth season and two episodes in its sixth season.

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EPA has settled several other RRP enforcement cases with hosts and producers of TV programs, including “Maine Cabin Masters,” “Two Chicks and a Hammer,” “Magnolia Homes,” “Texas Flip N Move,” “Rehab Addict” and “Bargain Mansions.”