U.S EPA announced a settlement with the Mayo Development Group, LLC over the company’s failure to tell its tenants about lead paint hazards in its rental units.  The Mayo Development Group is a real estate investment, management and development company that owns and manages apartment buildings in the Dorchester, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Jamaica Plain and Roxbury areas of Boston.  It also owns rental properties outside of Boston.  

EPA found that Mayo failed to provide disclosure of lead-paint hazards in its rental units prior to tenants signing lease contracts.  This “don’t tell” practice violates the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Residential Lead-based Paint Hazard Reduction Act and the federal Disclosure Rule.

Under the settlement, Mayo will pay a fine of $28,301 and spend $152,420 to replace 157 windows containing lead-based paint at 137-149 and 161 Broad Street, Lynn, Massachusetts. Mayo also agreed to comply with the Disclosure Rule in the future.

U.S. EPA is issuing new lead paint abatement rules for contractors who renovate or repair housing, child-care facilities or schools built before 1978. Under the new rules, workers must follow lead-safe work practice standards to reduce potential exposure to dangerous levels of lead during renovation and repair activities.  The “Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting Program” rule, which will take effect in April 2010, prohibits work practices creating lead hazards. Requirements under the rule include implementing lead-safe work practices and certification and training for paid contractors and maintenance professionals working in pre-1978 housing, child-care facilities and schools.  The rule covers all rental housing and non-rental homes where children under six and pregnant mothers reside. The new requirements apply to renovation, repair or painting activities where more than six square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed in a room or where 20 square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed on the exterior. The affected contractors include builders, painters, plumbers and electricians. Trained contractors must post warning signs, restrict occupants from work areas, contain work areas to prevent dust and debris from spreading, conduct a thorough cleanup, and verify that cleanup was effective.  For more information on the potential dangers associated with exposure to lead follow this link: http://www.epa.gov/lead/