ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Thousands of Maryland homes may not have been properly inspected for lead hazards, and state officials delayed notifying residents after discovering faulty certifications, according to a newly released audit.
The audit of the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), released in April 2026, found widespread oversight failures in the state’s lead safety program, including more than 14,000 rental properties that did not match required inspection records.
Auditors also found the agency lacked a system to verify lead-free certificates issued by third-party inspectors, raising concerns about the accuracy of thousands of approvals.
In one case highlighted in the report, MDE suspended an inspector accused of issuing improper certifications but waited months before notifying affected property owners and tenants. The agency also did not ensure that children living in those homes received recommended lead testing following the discovery.
Beyond lead safety, the audit found significant delays in environmental oversight across the state. As of April 2025, inspections for 224 regulated facilities were overdue, in some cases by as much as five years.
The report also identified a backlog in inspections of radiation-producing machines used in medical and dental settings, with more than 1,300 machines overdue for required checks.
Financial and administrative issues were also cited, including incomplete records involving millions of dollars in receivables and failures to properly publish certain contract awards.
The audit further substantiated concerns raised through a state fraud, waste, and abuse hotline, including a potential ethics issue involving outside employment by a management-level employee.
MDE officials said they generally agree with the findings and are working to address the issues, including improving inspection tracking systems and reducing backlogs.
The Maryland Department of the Environment is responsible for overseeing air, water, and land quality across the state, as well as protecting residents from environmental health risks.
The audit covers agency operations from May 2021 through February 2025.
Read the full audit report for the Maryland Department of the Environment below:
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