Nov 25 (Reuters) - Lowe's will pay a $12.5

million civil fine to resolve U.S. government accusations that

contractors hired by the home improvement retailer did not take

appropriate safety precautions when renovating homes containing

lead paint.

The Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection

Agency said more than 250 home renovations in 23 U.S. states,

primarily between 2019 and 2021, violated the EPA's Lead

Renovation, Repair and Painting rule, as well as a 2014 consent

decree.

Lowe's denied wrongdoing in agreeing to Tuesday's

settlement, which includes a new consent decree.

The Mooresville, North Carolina-based company did not

immediately respond to requests for comment.

Residential lead-based paint use was banned in 1978, and

firms renovating older homes must use certified firms and

renovators to minimize residents' potential exposure to lead

paint chips and dust.

Lowe's alleged violations included failing to warn residents

about lead paint risks before starting work, not using certified

renovators and lead-safe work practices, failing to contain dust

and cover windows, and not using plastic sheeting to catch

exterior dust and paint chips.

The settlement also requires Lowe's to improve its

compliance program for renovating homes that may contain

lead-based paint.

About

29 million U.S. homes have lead-based paint hazards, the

government said.

Lead poisoning can lead to mood disorders, memory problems and

miscarriages, and in children can lead to learning difficulties

and seizures, among other symptoms.