Retailer accused of lead-contamination violations (vintage home fixtures)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1207799715233020.xml&coll=7

Portland's Rejuvenation faces citations over lead handling and unsafe lead content in items for sale
Thursday, April 10, 2008
LAURA GUNDERSON
The Oregonian Staff

Over the past year, national headlines have heralded reports of lead paint showing up in surprising places -- on toys, children's jewelry, even garden hoses.

Now, a longtime Portland retailer faces fines for selling vintage home fixtures that many shoppers and employees expect to be covered in noxious lead-laced paint.

Rejuvenation Inc. has until mid-April to address seven citations -- three labeled serious -- for alleged lead-contamination violations it received this week after an investigation by the state's Occupational Safety and Health Division.

Such findings could complicate growth of an industry that's boomed here and nationwide, as homeowners look to renovate or build houses with materials salvaged from older homes.

"We're in the salvage business. We've been selling old stuff for 30 years and old stuff has lead in it," said Rejuvenation President Alysa Rose, adding that the company's salvage business is much smaller than its sales of items it reproduces.

"This obviously is an issue for anybody selling old stuff, and there's been a proliferation of these types of businesses in Portland," Rose said. "There's such a strong commitment to reuse and recycling here, so this could impact a lot of people."

FULL 2 page story at link.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. That's too bad, it's a great store. nt

[angstlessk]

2. Another way for big bidness to shut out the little guy...laws are MADE

for the big guys! :grr: