On December 10 Baltimore residents learned that Skyline Tower Painting Inc. and its president, pleaded guilty to Maryland environmental crimes after a botched 2022 repainting of the city’s iconic 888‑foot TV tower. Prosecutors say workers scraped and power‑washed old coatings without any containment, allowing red lead‑containing paint chips to rain down across a mixed residential and commercial neighborhood for weeks. Investigators with the state attorney general’s Environmental & Natural Resources Crimes Unit collected chips from yards, playgrounds and storm drains and found lead concentrations of 19.6 mg/L and 6.2 mg/L—well above the 5 mg/L threshold that defines a hazardous waste. The uncontrolled power‑washing discharged lead‑contaminated waste onto homes, businesses, forested areas and even a daycare within a half‑mile radius of the tower.
Broader consequences – civil suits and neighborhood impact
Residents of Baltimore’s Woodberry neighborhood filmed the red chips blowing through their streets in June 2022. Lead‑based paint chips were found at least 1,000 feet from the tower, and winds may have carried them farther. Parents worried about children ingesting chips or contaminated soil; attorneys representing affected homeowners note that lead exposure can cause irreversible neurological damage, particularly in children. A class‑action lawsuit representing property owners within a 4,000‑foot radius of the tower is proceeding in Baltimore Circuit Court, and a separate civil action by the Maryland Department of the Environment is scheduled for trial in March 2026. Community advocates have criticized the modest size of the proposed fines, arguing that cleanup crews still frequent the area more than two years later to remove paint debris.
Why this matters to contractors and property owners
Hidden exposures
Many contractors assume that surface preparation is covered under their general liability policies, but lead‑paint removal or demolition often triggers hazardous‑waste rules. In this case the paint chips were legally classified as a controlled hazardous substance because the lead content exceeded regulatory thresholds. The failure to contain and properly dispose of the waste violated state and federal environmental laws and exposed the company to criminal charges, civil suits and significant cleanup costs.
Beyond fines and legal fees, businesses may face:
- Third‑party bodily injury claims. Children can suffer permanent cognitive impairment from even low‑level lead exposure; plaintiffs will likely seek damages for medical monitoring and diminished property values.
- Property‑damage claims. Property owners may demand compensation for soil remediation, repainting and replacement of contaminated landscaping.
- Regulatory penalties and cleanup orders. Agencies can require corrective actions, monitoring and long‑term remediation; deferred sentences give prosecutors leverage to ensure compliance.
Insurance implications
Most commercial general liability (CGL) policies contain pollution exclusions that eliminate coverage for lead‑based paint exposures. Contractors performing surface preparation, sandblasting or power‑washing of painted structures should consider Contractors Pollution Liability (CPL) coverage, which typically responds to claims arising from the release of contaminants during operations. CPL policies may cover third‑party bodily injury, property damage, cleanup costs and legal defense.
Property owners and tower operators should explore Site Pollution Liability policies. These cover gradual or sudden releases of pollutants from a specific location, including contamination caused by contractors. Without site coverage, property owners may be left paying for cleanup ordered by regulators or sued by neighbors.
Insurance underwriters will scrutinize risk‑management practices. Key steps include:
- Containment and waste collection. Use of scaffolding wraps, vacuum systems or tarps prevents debris from leaving the work site.
- Hazard evaluations and permitting. Perform pre‑work assessments to identify lead or other hazardous materials; obtain all required permits and abide by local containment ordinances.
- Worker training and health monitoring. Ensure employees follow OSHA lead‑safe work practices and wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
- Emergency response planning. Coordinate with local authorities and develop plans for spills or unexpected releases.
Adequate coverage and robust controls not only protect against losses but also demonstrate due diligence to regulators and communities.
Bottom line
The guilty pleas in Baltimore’s TV‑tower case are a stark reminder that environmental missteps during routine maintenance can result in criminal prosecution, hefty fines and long‑tail civil liabilities. For contractors and property owners, the lesson is clear: identify hazardous materials before work begins, implement rigorous containment and disposal practices, and transfer risk through dedicated pollution liability coverage. Staying vigilant protects not only your balance sheet but also the communities where you operate.