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Maine Company to Pay $40,000 for Alleged Environmental Violations
Release Date: 08/12/04
Contact Information: Contact: Peyton Fleming, EPA Press Office, (617) 918-1008
For Immediate Release: Aug. 12, 2004; Release # 04-08-08
BOSTON - A Portland, Maine lead abatement contractor has agreed to pay $40,000 to settle claims by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that it allegedly failed to comply with various lead management rules at nine projects in Maine from 1999 to 2002.
According to EPA's New England office, Abatement Professionals Corp. (APC) of Portland, which performed lead abatement projects in Lewiston, Portland and Livermore Falls, Maine between March 1999 and March 2002, allegedly violated the federal Toxic Substance and Control Act and the state's federally-authorized lead management program.
EPA's complaint had claimed that the company did not fully comply with various lead abatement work practice standards, such as allegedly failing to meet state requirements for:
- project notifications to the state;
- occupant protection plans;
- final cleanup procedures (at one residence); and
- lead abatement reports.
"It is important that all lead abatement contractors comply with lead management rules," said Robert W. Varney, administrator for EPA's New England office. "The public and all those involved with renting apartments or removing lead paint need to be aware that there are laws meant to protect the public that govern these activities."
The case is among more than a dozen lead-related civil and criminal cases EPA New England has taken since launching an initiative to make sure landlords, property owners and property managers are complying with federal lead disclosure laws. The initiative has included more than 150 inspections around New England, as well as compliance assistance workshops.
If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies, can suffer from brain and nervous system damage, slowed growth, hearing problems, and behavior and learning problems. Adults with high lead levels can suffer from difficulties during pregnancy, high blood pressure, nerve disorders, memory problems and muscle and joint pain. There was, however, no evidence of any harm to human health in APC's case.
The alleged violations stem from an information request letter issued by EPA's New England office to APC in March 2002 regarding the company's compliance with state and federal laws.
For more information on lead paint disclosure requirements and other issues regarding lead, visit the agency's web site at www.epa.gov/ne/topics/pollutants/lead.html.
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