THIS CASE INVOLVES VIOLATIONS OF THE LEAD-BASED PAINT DISCLOSURE RULE UNDER TSCA( DISCLOSURE RULE ). EPA's COMPLAINT ALLEGES THAT THE RESPONDENTS FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE DISCLOSURE RULE IN 2004 AND 2005 WHEN THEY RENTED AND/OR SOLD OVER 5,000 APARTMENTS LOCATED IN MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT VIOLATIONS INCLUDE THE FAILURE TO DISCLOSE KNOWN LEAD-PAINT HAZARDS AND PROVIDE RECORDS REGARDING THOSE HAZARDS TO 135 TENANTS AND FAILING TO PROVIDE A COPY OF AN EPA-APPROVED LEAD HAZARD INFORMATION PAMPHLET TO 41 TENANTS. THE PURPOSE OF THE DISCLOSURE RULE IS TO HELP PREVENT EXPOSURE TO LEAD-BASED PAINT AND/OR LEAD-BASED PAINT HAZARDS BY REQUIRING LANDLORDS TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION ABOUT LEAD-BASED PAINT TO TENANTS. THIS ACTION WILL HELP ENSURE THAT FUTURE TENANTS OF THE RESPONDENTS WILL RECEIVE INFORMATION THEY NEED TO EVALUATE WHETHER AN APARTMENT THEY WANT TO RENT COULD POSE RISKS TO THEIR HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF THEIR CHILDREN. LEAD POISONING IN CHILDREN CAUSES INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT DEFICIENCIES, READING AND LEARNING DISABILITIES, IMPAIRED HEARING, REDUCED ATTENTION SPAN, HYPERACTIVITY, AND BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS.