Magnolia Homes, the Waco, Texas, renovation company featured on HGTV’s *Fixer Upper*, reached a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over alleged violations of federal lead-paint safety rules. The company, associated with Chip and Joanna Gaines, agreed to pay a $40,000 civil penalty, improve its renovation practices, educate the public and spend $160,000 reducing lead hazards in the Waco area.

The EPA began investigating after reviewing footage of renovations shown over several seasons of *Fixer Upper*, which reached about 3 million households. Information provided during the inquiry showed evidence of noncompliance at 33 properties. The agency alleged that Magnolia had failed to obtain required firm certification, assign a certified renovator, give occupants a lead-hazard pamphlet, post warning signs and follow work practices designed to contain paint dust and debris.

Federal rules require firms paid to renovate homes built before 1978 to use lead-safe practices unless testing establishes that affected surfaces contain less than the regulated concentration of lead. Lead-based paint was banned for residential use in 1978, but it remains in many older homes. Renovation can disturb the paint and create hazardous dust. Children are especially vulnerable to lead exposure, which can cause learning and behavioral problems and, in severe cases, seizures or death.

According to the EPA, Magnolia cooperated with the inquiry and took steps to comply after the agency raised its concerns. Those steps included obtaining certification, training staff and adopting a compliance management program with enhanced recordkeeping and periodic reports to the EPA.

The settlement also calls for public education. A March 21, 2018, episode of *Fixer Upper* addressed lead-paint hazards and showed precautions renovation firms can take. Chip Gaines later shared a lead-safety message on Twitter. Magnolia also agreed to publish a standalone educational video featuring Gaines on its website and social media.

For its community project, Magnolia will work with an independent abatement firm to reduce lead hazards in homes and child-occupied facilities in the Waco area. Measures may include replacing windows and doors, removing lead-contaminated dust, and enclosing or replacing painted surfaces and fixtures. The EPA noted that much of Waco’s housing was built before 1978 and that one neighborhood had historically recorded elevated blood lead levels in children above state and national averages.