CHICAGO (Nov. 1, 2004) -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 5 has settled a complaint against Chicago landlord Ivan
Zugalj for allegedly failing to warn tenants that their homes may
contain lead-based paint hazards. Zugalj, an owner of apartment
buildings on Chicago's south side, will pay a $150,000 penalty.
The complaint was a result of joint investigations by EPA and
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development into compliance
by Chicago area landlords with federal laws that require them to
notify tenants about the presence of lead-based paint and its hazards.
Information and technical expertise was provided by the Chicago
Department of Public Health.
EPA's 213-count complaint involved a total of 45 apartment units
in buildings located at 7331- 7339 S. Coles Ave., 2025-2035 E.
72nd St., 2050-2060 E. 72nd Pl., and 7250 South Shore Drive.
Investigations showed that Zugalj failed to disclose lead-based
paint hazards to tenants and provide copies of lead-based paint
hazard orders he received from CDPH. The orders resulted from the
department's investigations of lead-poisoned children residing
in Zugalj's properties.
Bharat Mathur, acting regional administrator, said, "These
enforcement actions demonstrate that protecting children from lead-based
paint exposure is one of EPA's highest priorities. To this end
we vigorously pursue compliance with this rule."
The disclosure rule was issued in 1996 by EPA and HUD to protect
families, especially those with children, from hazards of lead-based
paint in the home. Real estate companies and property owners must
provide buyers and renters with information on lead-based paint,
including a lead warning statement and a pamphlet. They must also
disclose if lead-based paint is known to be present before the
close of a sale or signing of a rental agreement. This applies
to residences built before 1978, the year the sale of lead-based
paint was banned.
According to the CDPH, more than 6,800 Chicago children under
the age of six were diagnosed with lead poisoning in 2003. Anne
Evens, director of the childhood lead poisoning prevention program
at the department said, "This announcement is an important
step in protecting children from exposure to lead-based paint.
CDPH appreciates the enforcement efforts of EPA Region 5 and HUD.
Landlords should take notice and work proactively to remove lead-based
paint hazards from their properties in order to eliminate childhood
lead poisoning."
Deteriorated lead-based paint is the most common source of lead
exposure to children in the United States. About 75 percent of
the nation's housing built before 1978 contains lead-based paint.
When properly managed, lead-based paint poses little risk. If it
is not maintained, even low levels of lead exposure can threaten
people's health, especially children and pregnant women. The effects
of lead poisoning include learning disabilities, growth impairment,
and permanent damage to the brain, nervous system, hearing, vision
and kidneys.
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