Hayward company fined for lead certification

The Environmental Protection Agency recently fined  Hayward construction company A&D Construction for not having the proper certification to handle lead based paints.

While lead can be harmful to adults, it has been found to be extremely harmful to children. According to the EPA, lead can cause neurological damage, lower intellect, slowed growth, and hearing problems. In rare cases it has been seen to cause seizures and even death.

On Oct. 14, during Lead Awareness Week, the EPA’s press release included companies in the Bay Area that did not have the certification, including local contractor A&D Construction Hayward.

“EPA believes [A&D Construction] and the other companies named in the settlements bid on projects that required RRP certification,” Skadowski explained.

The settlement required companies to pay a $1000 fine along with obtaining the certification immediately. According to the EPA, there are still thousands of companies that still need RRP certification in the US.

Along with A&D Construction, nine other companies were issued settlements including CF Contracting in Fairfax, National Electrical Manufacturers Association in Albany, and Southland Construction in Carmel Valley.

These companies advertise that they can remodel and paint many types of homes, but have no mention of RRP certification, according to the EPA’s website.

Since the settlement was released two weeks ago, A&D Construction currently holds its RRP certification and is now on the EPA’s local certified firms for Hayward, according to its website.

“EPA is encouraging more cities and counties in [California] to check for RRP certification before issuing building permits to contractors for residential renovation work in pre-1978 housing,” said Skadowski.

The federal government issued a ban on consumers using lead-based paint in 1978. However, the EPA still believes there are millions of homes in the United States with this paint masked under layers of remodeling, according to its website.

When the paint begins to deteriorate, or when renovations are done without proper handling, the dust can seep out and through breathing or consumption can get into the blood streams of people in these homes.

To manage exposure, the EPA introduced a certification program for remodelers and contractors with a lead-handling license called the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting certification or RRP.

The program itself can be taught by an accredited trainer from the state through an online request on the EPA website. If companies bid on projects without having the required certification, they are subject to fines from the government agency.

“EPA checks for RRP certification on every inspection we do in California, it is a basic threshold of compliance,” said EPA Public Affair Specialist Suzanne Skadowski.

There are individuals who call and inform the agency of ads from companies that offer remodeling services to check if they have the RRP, Skadowski said.

Hayward’s city government currently does not release any database of homes built before 1978. They only contain information on homes meeting local ordinance standards and must be requested a single report at a time. Inspectors from the city only look for homes that were checked to be in compliance with ordinances.

If anyone believes their home was built before 1978, they are encouraged by city hall to purchase a lead paint kit online to test their home. Individuals may also check the EPA’s local search for certified renovators and testing technicians at http://cfpub.epa.gov/flpp/searchrrp_firm.htm.