Three Connecticut Firms Comply with Federal Lead Paint Laws after EPA Inspections
BOSTON - (July 28, 2025) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it has reached agreements with three Connecticut companies to bring them into compliance with federal lead paint safety regulations. These rules are designed to help protect people, especially children from the health risks associated with lead-based paint.
"These three settlements include commitments from the respective entities to follow federal lead paint laws, which means a lower risk of childhood exposure to lead in the buildings that they manage and renovate in Connecticut," said EPA New England Regional Administrator Mark Sanborn. "These cases are indicative of EPA's work to pursue enforcement actions of critical lead-based paint laws and regulations to ensure future compliance and deter violations."
As part of the settlements reached with EPA, each company will also pay a fine and has either taken or agreed to take steps to meet federal requirements:
- Gold Shield Construction: $31,916 penalty
- Home Made Easy: $9,781 penalty
- Spinnaker: $68,402 penalty
Case information:
Gold Shield Construction was not properly certified under the federal Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule when it performed four renovations in pre-1978 housing that may have contained lead-based paint between 2021 and 2023 or at the time of an EPA inspection in June 2023. The company did not have certain compliance documentation, failed to provide the required EPA-approved "Renovate Right" lead hazard information pamphlet to the property owners and tenants where renovations were performed and did not keep proper records.
Home Made Easy did not obtain the necessary firm certification before performing renovations at four pre-1978 properties that may have contained lead-based paint in 2021 and did not use certified renovators to perform the renovations. The company also did not keep necessary records demonstrating compliance with the RRP Rule and failed to provide "Renovate Right" pamphlets to the homeowners.
Spinnaker and affiliated companies did not include a lead warning statement in contracts to lease "target housing" and did not disclose the presence of any known lead-based paint hazards prior to finalizing leases for these properties. The company also failed to keep records properly and did not provide required lead-hazard information pamphlets prior to finalizing leases. Residential buildings built before 1978 are defined as "target housing" under the Toxic Substance Control Act as they may contain lead paint.
Why this Matters:
Lead paint is a serious health hazard, especially for young children. Most homes built before 1978 contain some lead- based paint, and when it's disturbed, it can create dangerous lead dust.
EPA continues to inspect renovation companies, landlords, property managers, and real estate firms to ensure they are following the rules that help prevent lead exposure. The inspections outlined in these cases were part of EPA's broader effort to reduce lead risks in CT.
Read more about EPA's work to enforce lead laws and regulations.
Read more about real estate disclosures about potential lead hazards.