Lowe’s will pay $12.5 million and overhaul its lead-safe renovation practices after the Justice Department and EPA say contractors hired by the retailer failed to follow the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule during work at homes across the country.
The Justice Department and the Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposed nationwide settlement with Lowe’s Home Centers LLC, a subsidiary of Lowe’s Companies Inc., addressing alleged violations of EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule. The alleged problems stem from renovation projects handled by contractors working for Lowe’s at hundreds of homes, with the majority of the activity cited between 2019 and 2021. As part of the proposed agreement, Lowe’s will pay a $12.5 million penalty and must improve its policies for renovations in homes that could contain lead-based paint.
Under the terms lodged in court, Lowe’s is required to build a corporate-wide compliance program to make sure the firms and installers it hires are qualified and use lead-safe work practices. The EPA says its review found Lowe’s did not fully implement the obligations from a 2014 settlement, which led to the current enforcement action. The settlement aims to prevent the spread of lead dust and paint chips during renovations, a key pathway for exposure in older housing.
“Careless handling of lead paint endangers the health of children and other Americans. The stiff penalty Lowe’s will pay reflects the importance of using certified firms and contractors in older home renovations,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “Contractors hired for work that may disturb paint in homes built prior to 1978, when lead-based paint was in widespread use, must be certified. These contractors have the training to recognize and prevent the hazards that can be created when lead paint is disturbed.”
The EPA flagged violations after reviewing periodic compliance reports that Lowe’s submitted under the 2014 consent decree and then following a public tip about work in southern and central California. Many of the cited projects involved door replacements and other renovations where paint disturbance is likely, raising the risk of creating lead hazards. The agency’s findings prompted federal enforcement steps intended to ensure safer practices are used when older homes are worked on.
“Noncompliance with EPA regulations aimed at reducing or preventing health risks from lead paint exposure during renovations, repairs, and painting can endanger families, especially young children and infants,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Craig Pritzlaff of the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA). “Through this enforcement action, Lowe’s will help protect their customers from the harmful effects of lead by ensuring that renovation work in homes built before 1978 is conducted by certified contractors using lead-safe practices.”
Lead-based paint was banned for residential use in 1978, but it remains present in many older houses and apartments. Disturbing that paint during repairs, replacements, or remodeling can create dangerous lead dust that settles into living spaces and can be inhaled or ingested by residents. Young children face the highest risk because lead exposure can damage developing nervous systems and cause a range of health problems, from learning and behavioral issues to seizures and even death in extreme cases.
The consent decree was lodged in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and will be open to public comment for 30 days before a judge considers final approval. If the court signs off, Lowe’s will face ongoing obligations to verify that contractors are trained and certified to follow lead-safe methods and to document compliance. The settlement also includes monitoring and reporting requirements designed to give regulators visibility into whether the company is meeting its new commitments.
Practical steps in the agreement include contractor training, certification verification, and procedures to minimize lead dust during work, with corporate oversight required to enforce those measures. The announced penalty reflects the agencies’ interest in deterring future violations and in reducing risks to families who live in older homes. Parents concerned about potential exposure should consult health professionals about testing, because a blood lead test is the only way to determine if a child has a high lead level.
