HGTV stars Chip and Joanna Gaines reached a settlement with the EPA yesterday over alleged violations of the agency's Toxic Substances Control Act and Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP).
The couple, which operates Magnolia Homes in Waco, Texas, agreed to pay $160,000 for the violations which stem from work done in 2015 on 33 properties in Waco.
The EPA says video footage of Magnolia's renovations in the hit show 'Fixer Upper' did not depict the lead-safe practices normally required by the RRP rule.
The RRP rule requires that when remodelers are working in houses built before 1978 on projects that could disturb lead paint, they must determine whether any lead paint is present and--if they do find presence of the paint or didn't do a test--must then use certain practices to contain the spread of the lead paint dust while they perform the remodel. The company doing the work and the renovators following lead-safe work practices both must be certified by EPA-approved training programs.
The company also agreed to pay a civil penalty of $40,000, and must "broadcast a video within 90 days detailing the proper handling of renovations in homes that have lead paint", according to Maria Halkias of Dallas News.
The agency says Magnolia took immediate steps to obtain EPA certificiation and bring its activities into compliance when it was first contacted in 2015. Magnolia is also creating its own compliance management program according to spokesman John Marsciano.
"We continue to be proactive with our efforts to ensure total compliance moving forward and remain committed to raising awareness in our community and our industry" said Marsicano.
