Making American Communities Healthy and Lead-Safe: EPA Reaches Settlement Agreement with Vermont-based Construction Company
BOSTON (June 16, 2026) – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement agreement with the South, Burlington, Vermont-based construction company ReArch Company Inc. ("ReArch"), resolving alleged violations of the Toxic Substances Control Act ("TSCA") and the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule ("RRP Rule") at a job site in New Hampshire. These laws and regulations were designed to protect the public and children from exposure to lead paint and lead dust hazards during renovations of pre-1978 housing.
"EPA's commonsense lead paint regulations help protect the health and wellbeing of our New England communities, and particularly children, by preventing lead exposure," said EPA New England Regional Administrator Mark Sanborn. "This settlement highlights EPA's commitment to enforcing lead-based paint laws and regulations that apply to entities performing renovations in pre-1978 housing and reduce the risks from lead-based paint."
During an inspection of ReArch's renovation of the historic Woolen Mill Apartments, in Newport, New Hampshire, EPA observed various alleged violations of requirements related to lead-based paint and lead dust safe work practices. These alleged violations included: failure to contain renovation dust and debris, failure to cover floors with plastic sheeting, lack of warning signs, and failure to maintain records to demonstrate compliance with these requirements.
Under the settlement agreement, ReArch has paid a penalty of $18,715. The settlement also certifies that the company is currently and will continue to operate in compliance with the RRP Rule, by ensuring that:
- Floor surfaces are covered with impermeable material during renovations of target housing;
- Clear signage is posted regarding work areas for occupants and others;
- Records are maintained for up to three years to demonstrate compliance with RRP Rule for renovations;
- Renovation waste has been properly collected and stored under contained, in an enclosure, or behind a barrier; and
- Records and summaries related to lead-based paint and/or hazards during renovations are maintained and provided to property owners and managers for proper lead disclosure to tenants.
Why this Matters
Since the 1970s, EPA has worked alongside partners at the federal, state, Tribal, and local levels to protect children's health by reducing lead exposures and lead-related health risks. Despite improvements over the last 50 years, ongoing exposures to lead where our families live, work, and play present a health risk, especially to children.
To combat this issue, in 2025, the Trump EPA reestablished a committee of senior leaders across the agency's program offices and ten regions to drive success in reducing children's exposure to lead. This renewed agency-wide focus is centered around strengthening cooperative federalism, streamlining actionable risk communications, and unleashing private sector innovation to protect human health and the environment.
Please see EPA's lead website for additional information.
To learn more about the RRP Rule, visit EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program webpage.
