Following the recent nationwide deadline for lead pipe removal, the Biden administration has introduced stringent new regulations on lead dust from paint in older homes and child-care facilities. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule that establishes limits on lead dust on floors and window sills in residences and child-care facilities built before 1978 to undetectable levels.
Although lead-based paint was banned in 1978, over 30 million American homes still contain it, with nearly 4 million housing children under 6 years old. Lead paint can pose risks when it deteriorates or is disturbed, particularly during renovation or remodeling projects.
The EPA emphasized that there is no safe level of lead exposure. The new rule aims to significantly reduce lead hazards in homes and child-care facilities, potentially benefiting up to 1.2 million individuals annually, including 178,000 to 326,000 young children.
Lead is a neurotoxin that can cause irreversible harm to brain development in children, leading to lower IQ, behavioral issues, and long-term health consequences affecting various organs.
The rule, effective early next year, focuses on reducing lead dust levels generated by paint. Previous hazardous levels on floors and window sills have been lowered to undetectable lead concentrations.
The regulation also addresses post-abatement standards for lead removal work, requiring certified individuals and firms to adhere to specific practices and conduct testing to ensure compliance with the new standards.
Environmental justice and public health experts have praised the EPA's rule, highlighting the disproportionate impact of lead poisoning on low-income and minority communities. The move is seen as a crucial step in safeguarding children's health and well-being.
The U.S. government has been progressively lowering lead poisoning thresholds in children, with the EPA rule representing a proactive approach to addressing lead hazards in the environment.
Efforts to mitigate lead exposure include recent grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to remove lead hazards from homes, particularly in HUD-assisted housing. Additional funding will be available to support lead paint removal initiatives, underscoring the government's commitment to protecting public health.
