Lead Concerns & Renovation Activities in Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - May 11, 2014 - PRLog -- Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice announced that one of the nation’s largest home improvement retailers has agreed to pay a $500,000 fine for alleged violations to the Toxic Substances Act (TSCA) and the Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule.  The company has also agreed to implement a comprehensive, corporate-wide compliance program nationwide to ensure that the contractors it hires to perform work minimize lead dust from home renovation activities.

The EPA’s announcement is a reminder to all companies that perform renovation, demolition and construction work that they need to adhere to regulations meant to protect workers and building occupants from the hazards associated with exposure to lead.   In Puerto Rico, regulations require that all buildings that are going to be demolished or renovated need to be inspected for lead-based paints (LBP).  Local regulations enforced by the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board also demand that all materials with lead be managed as a special waste.

Zimmetry Environmental helps companies in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean to comply with lead regulations through lead testing and consulting services.  “Lead-based paints are still found in many older homes and buildings,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental.  “In fact, if a property was built before 1978, there is a good chance it has LBP. If testing and the proper procedures don’t take place during any type of activity that could disturb these materials, both workers and people who spend time in the building could be exposed to dangerous levels of lead.  The lead experts at Zimmetry provide the solution to ensure this doesn’t happen.”

Zimmetry has sponsored an online video about ways children can be protected from lead poisoning that can be at: http://youtu.be/LkEqFhNDS-U



To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their lead, indoor air quality, environmental and compliance consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com.

About Zimmetry Environmental

Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase IESAs and general environmental consulting services.