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St. Louis Landlord to Pay Penalty, Perform Lead Paint Removal for Failure to Inform Residents, Homeowners of Lead Hazards

Release Date: 11/16/2009
Contact Information: Chris Whitley, 913-551-7394, whitley.christopher@epa.gov

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., Nov. 16, 2009) - A St. Louis area property management company has agreed to pay a $4,527 civil penalty and perform $108,325 worth of lead paint removal work to settle allegations that it failed to inform residents and homeowners of actual and potential lead-based paint hazards in its housing built before 1978.

JAX Limited Company, 55 Nationalway Shopping Center, in Ballwin, Mo., agreed to perform the lead paint removal work as part of a supplemental environmental project to reduce its civil penalty in the case.

According to a consent agreement filed today in Kansas City, Kan., JAX Limited Company owns properties at 4917 Winona Avenue, 5542 37th Avenue, 4061 Gravois Avenue and 5543 Grace Avenue, all in St. Louis.

Under the federal Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Rule, the company was legally required to provide copies of a lead-based paint hazard informational pamphlet to its tenants, and make certain other disclosures, prior to those tenants being obligated by lease agreements. The company was also required by the Lead Pre-Renovation Education Rule to provide the same pamphlet and additional information to tenants prior to certain renovations, repairs and painting projects being performed.

JAX Limited Company's supplemental environmental project will involve the removal of lead-based paint at 73 of its target housing rental units.

High levels of lead in children can cause permanent damage to the brain and nervous system and other widespread health problems, such as reduced intelligence and attention span, hearing loss, stunted growth, reading and learning problems, and behavioral difficulties.