$2.2 Million Settlement Reached Over Lead Paint Contamination in Baltimore Neighborhoods

BALTIMORE, MD – A $2.2 million settlement and consent decree have been secured by the Maryland Attorney General’s office and the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) following a civil lawsuit concerning lead paint debris that spread from a Baltimore broadcast tower into surrounding communities, impacting parks, playgrounds, and daycares. The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed by the Attorney General on behalf of MDE and comes after the contracting company and its principal pleaded guilty to criminal environmental charges.

The lawsuit centered on Television Tower, Inc. (TTI), the owner of a broadcast tower located in Baltimore City. TTI, an entity representing local broadcast companies, hired Skyline Tower Painting, Inc. (Skyline) in May 2022 to repaint the tower, despite knowing it contained lead-based paint. Records indicate Skyline was not accredited to perform lead paint abatement services in Maryland. The complaint alleged that Skyline removed the lead paint by scraping and power washing without implementing any containment measures, leading to the dispersal of lead paint chips and debris across nearby neighborhoods, including Woodberry. The contamination reportedly extended as far as a quarter to half a mile from the tower during the period of work, which spanned from late May to late June 2022.

The settlement mandates that TTI complete all remaining repainting work on the tower by June 30, 2026, utilizing proper containment systems and accredited contractors. The final phase, involving the replacement of the elevator carriage to address remaining areas of flaking paint, is scheduled for completion by August 31, 2026. In addition to ongoing cleanup efforts, TTI is required to conduct a final cleanup and inspection of the surrounding area after the repainting is finished. This will be followed by at least three months of continued monitoring and response to any community complaints regarding paint flakes. Furthermore, TTI will conduct a repeat soil sampling study to verify that lead soil levels have not increased due to tower flakes since MDE’s 2023 study.

As part of the agreement, Skyline is permanently prohibited from engaging in any lead abatement, painting, or surface remediation work in Maryland. Skyline and its principals are also barred from forming or controlling any company that offers such services within the state.

The presence of lead paint poses significant health risks, particularly to young children. Exposure to lead, even at low levels, can result in cumulative damage to the brain, nervous system, and developmental processes. Children under the age of six are the most vulnerable, and the effects of lead exposure can be irreversible. Beyond human health, lead contamination can negatively impact wildlife and enter the food chain, exacerbating its environmental consequences.

Although work on the tower was halted and cleanup efforts have been underway, additional paint flakes have been discovered due to unstabilized paint continuing to detach from the structure. TTI has since hired a new, lead-accredited contractor to finish the project, employing a containment system specifically designed for the tower. Skyline is no longer involved in the repainting efforts.

The Attorney General’s complaint had outlined multiple alleged violations of Maryland environmental and public health laws, including hiring an unqualified contractor, various improper lead work practices, the incorrect disposal of solid waste, failure to properly determine if waste was hazardous, and the discharge of controlled hazardous substances into the environment and waterways.

This settlement aims to address the harm caused to residents, particularly children, in areas where they should feel safe, such as parks, playgrounds, and daycares. It underscores the importance of robust environmental safeguards and the diligent handling of hazardous materials to protect public health.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office

---