"Shut the Door on Lead
Poisoning" -- National Lead Poison Prevention Week, Oct. 24-30
Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products
found in and around our homes. Lead may cause a range of health
effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to
seizures and death. Children 6 years old and under are most at risk,
because their bodies are growing quickly.
Research suggests that the primary sources of lead exposure for
most children are:
- deteriorating lead-based paint,
- lead contaminated dust, and
- lead contaminated residential soil.
EPA is playing a major role in addressing these residential lead
hazards. In 1978, there were nearly three to four million children
with elevated blood lead levels in the United States. In the 1990s,
that number had dropped to 434,000 kids, and it continues to decline.
While we still have a significant challenge, EPA is very proud of
how federal, state, tribal, and private sector partners have coordinated
efforts with the public to better protect our children.
Since the 1980's, EPA and its federal partners have phased out
lead in gasoline, reduced lead in drinking water, reduced lead in
industrial air pollution, and banned or limited lead used in consumer
products, including residential paint. States and municipalities
have set up programs to identify and treat lead poisoned children
and to rehabilitate deteriorated housing. Parents, too, have greatly
helped to reduce lead exposures to their children by cleaning and
maintaining homes, having their children's blood lead levels checked,
and promoting proper nutrition. The Agencys Lead Awareness
Program continues to work to protect human health and the environment
against the dangers of lead by developing regulations, conducting
research, and designing educational outreach efforts and materials.
This site provides information about lead, lead hazards, and provides
some simple steps to protect your family. For basic information
start with the links to the right. For more specific information,
and to search for and download documents use the links on the left.
You can also order materials or speak to an information specialist
by contacting The National Lead Information Center
(NLIC) at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323).
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