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San Antonio Landlord Faces Penalty for Lead-Based Paint Violations

Release Date: 10/2/2000
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.


    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a civil administrative penalty against a private San Antonio landlord for alleged violations of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992.

    EPA launched an investigation of San-Tex Lumber Company Inc. of San Antonio, Texas, after a tenant alleged his 1-year-old child was poisoned by lead-based paint.

    "Often, children from disadvantaged families face the greatest health threats. We have known for years that lead is a significant health threat to children. EPA takes a strong stand against landlords who choose to disregard disclosure laws and fail to give parents the information they need to protect their children's health," EPA Regional Administrator Gregg Cooke said.

    Home sellers or lessors must disclose lead hazard information and provide buyers or renters with a lead hazard information pamphlet, among other requirements. EPA's complaint, dated Sept. 26, 2000, alleges that San-Tex failed to comply with the Disclosure Rule in six transactions involving children between 1 and 18.

    EPA proposes a penalty of $128,920. San-Tex has 30 days from the date it received the complaint to provide an official response.

    About three-quarters of the nation's housing built before 1978 contains some lead-based paint. When properly maintained and managed, this paint poses little risk. However, about 1.7 million children have blood-lead levels above safe limits, mostly due to exposure to lead-based paint hazards.

    Lead poisoning can cause permanent damage to the brain and other organs. Children exposed to unsafe lead levels exhibit reduced intelligence and behavioral problems. Lead can also cause abnormal fetal development in pregnant women.

    More information on EPA's lead-based paint hazard program is available on the Internet at https://www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/.