North Bay contractors to pay EPA lead-paint settlements

Four construction firms with connections to the North Bay are among 11 from the San Francisco Bay Area reaching settlements with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over certifications for handling lead paint.

These were “enforcement actions” the agency said it has taken in the past year for not obtaining federal certification to do renovation work which could include lead-based paint. The agency said the firms were seeking construction work with the San Francisco Unified School District but weren’t awarded contracts.

Settlements were reached between March and October 2016 but announced Jan. 19. These firms with North Bay ties reached deals to obtain certifications and pay fines:

Arntz Builders Inc. of Novato: $5,000

Jeff Luchetti Construction Inc. of Santa Rosa: $3,000

Pinguelo Construction Inc. of Fairfield: $2,000

Vila Construction Co. is based in Richmond but has a satellite office in Petaluma: $1,000

Others reaching settlements were Zolman Construction and Development, $9,000; Transworld Construction, $8,000; Rodan Builders, $7,000; Roebbelen Contracting, $3,000; Rainbow Waterproofing and Restoration Co., $2,000; S.J. Amoroso Construction Co., $1,000; and Seven Island Painting, $1,000.

“The fines were based on the number of different projects each firm bid on at [the school district] for which EPA had evidence,” said agency spokeswoman Michelle Huitric.

According to the EPA, the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule requires that individuals performing renovations are properly trained and certified, provide lead hazard information, and follow specific lead-safe work practices during renovations.

Contractors that are certified under the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule are encouraged to display EPA’s “Lead-Safe” logo on worker’s uniforms, signs, and websites.