It’s to protect homeowners.
In a significant effort to enhance safety regulations regarding lead paint dust, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Thursday the finalization of a rule designating any detectable amount of lead as hazardous in homes and childcare facilities.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan highlighted the importance of this rule, stating, “Our children, especially those in disadvantaged communities, bear the brunt of the dangers posed by lead-based paint.” He emphasized that the agency is committed to eliminating lead from communities across the country, a move that aims to lessen lead exposure for hundreds of thousands annually and support children in achieving their full potential.
The new regulation will require property owners to undertake thorough cleanup efforts once a doctor or public health expert identifies signs of lead exposure, in accordance with local and state laws. It sets a stringent standard for lead removal, mandating that levels be reduced to the lowest detectable amount. Lead dust can accumulate when lead paint deteriorates or is disturbed, posing risks to residents.
According to the EPA, this initiative could decrease lead exposure for up to 1.2 million people each year, including approximately 326,000 children under six. Peggy Shepard, co-founder of WE ACT for Environmental Justice, praised the EPA’s efforts, stating that the revised standards will protect children from lead contamination. She noted the urgent need for such measures, particularly in communities of color where lead poisoning rates are disproportionately high.
The announcement follows an earlier EPA decision to eliminate lead pipes from drinking water systems within the next decade. Despite the 1978 ban on lead-based paint, over a third of homes in the U.S. still contain it, with many housing young children. Exposure to even small amounts of lead can lead to serious developmental issues, including hearing and speech problems.
While many support the new rule, concerns have been raised about its implementation. Nicole Upano from the National Apartment Association expressed that the burden of remediation falls entirely on landlords, making compliance an unrealistic expectation. Additionally, childcare providers, like Cindy Lehnhoff of the National Child Care Association, worry that the financial strain of meeting these stringent standards could jeopardize affordable care options, highlighting the need for government assistance to help with implementation costs.
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