The company owned by “Fixer Upper” stars Chip and Joanna Gaines will pay $40,000 in a settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency, the EPA said Tuesday.
According to the EPA, the settlement with Magnolia Homes resolves alleged violations of of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP Rule). The alleged violations were related to home renovations conducted without adequate lead paint protections as depicted on the HGTV program, the EPA said.
In addition to paying the $40,000 penalty, Magnolia “will take steps to ensure compliance with lead-based paint regulations in future renovation projects, address lead-based paint hazards at high-risk homes in Waco, Texas, and educate the public to lead-based paint hazards and appropriate renovation procedures,” the EPA said.
Magnolia is also producing a brief video featuring Chip Gaines about renovating homes that contain lead-based paint, which will be posted to Magnolia’s site and social media.
Magnolia was accused of not complying with all of the requirements of the RRP Rule in renovations it performed in 33 properties in the Waco, Texas. According to the EPA, Magnolia “took immediate steps to obtain EPA certification and bring its activities into compliance with TSCA” shortly after it was contacted by the agency in 2015.
“It’s important that consumers and contractors understand that improper home renovation can expose residents and workers to hazardous lead dust,” said EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Assistant Administrator Susan Bodine. “Through this settlement, Magnolia is putting in place safeguards to ensure the safety of its renovation work and making meaningful contributions toward the protection of children and vulnerable communities from exposure to lead-based paint.”
Last year it was announced that “Fixer Upper” would end its run after five seasons. Chip and Joanna Gaines currently star on the “Fixer Upper” spinoff, “Fixer Upper: Behind the Design.”