Smash Bros Renovation Corp · Regulatory Misconduct
Profits Over Children: Smash Bros Renovation Corp Lead Safety Failures Exposed
An investigation reveals how a New York renovation firm bypassed critical safety protocols, endangering families in target housing.
TL;DR
Smash Bros Renovation Corp systematically ignored federal lead safety rules in New York City. By failing to notify the EPA and omitting essential occupant protection plans, the company left dozens of residential units, including those with young children, vulnerable to toxic lead exposure.
This right here be a direct threat to public health.
27
Residences Endangered
$5,000
Civil Penalty Paid
1 Year
Mandatory Monitoring
The Allegations: A Breakdown
Core Allegations: Safety Bypassing
| 01 | The company failed to notify the EPA before beginning lead abatement activities at 22 different New York City residences. | HIGH |
| 02 | Smash Bros failed to develop written occupant protection plans for all abatement projects, a critical step in preventing lead dust inhalation. | HIGH |
| 03 | Additional violations were uncovered involving five more properties where safety notifications were completely absent. | MEDIUM |
Public Health: The Human Cost
| 01 | The company operated in “target housing,” specifically areas where children were known to live or had elevated blood lead levels. | HIGH |
| 02 | By skipping occupant protection plans, the firm failed to provide the necessary containment required to keep toxic dust away from residents. | HIGH |
Timeline of Negligence
Dec 2020
Smash Bros begins conducting lead abatement activities without proper EPA notification.
May 2022
The EPA begins investigating Smash Bros after receiving data from the NYC Department of Health.
Dec 2022
The EPA issues a formal Information Request Letter to Smash Bros regarding blood lead level findings.
July 2025
Investigation concludes after discovering five additional unnotified abatement sites.
Direct Quote Singular from the Legal Record (there’s more examples immediately following the one that I wrote down below in the attached PDF btw but I don’t feel like copy pasting all of it here)
EVIDENCE OF TOMFOOLERY
“Smash Bros is a firm that engages (and has engaged at all relevant times) in the abatement of lead-based paint and is subject to the regulations and requirements pertaining to lead-based paint activities promulgated pursuant “
Commentary
What can I do to prevent this from happening again?
Demand transparency from your contractors. Always ask for their EPA certification and proof of an occupant protection plan before they begin work in your home.
Why is a $5,000 fine considered a “settlement”?
In the world of corporate misconduct, small fines often act as a mere “cost of doing business.” While this holds them accountable, it does not fully offset the biological damage caused by lead exposure to children.
💡 Explore Corporate Misconduct by Category
Corporations harm people every day — from wage theft to pollution. Learn more by exploring key areas of injustice.
- 💀 Product Safety Violations — When companies risk lives for profit.
- 🌿 Environmental Violations — Pollution, ecological collapse, and unchecked greed.
- 💼 Labor Exploitation — Wage theft, worker abuse, and unsafe conditions.
- 🛡️ Data Breaches & Privacy Abuses — Misuse and mishandling of personal information.
- 💵 Financial Fraud & Corruption — Lies, scams, and executive impunity.
