Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, today made the following remarks regarding the "Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting Program" rule announced by the Environmental Protection Agency today:
Senator Boxer said: "Once again, EPA has disregarded the advice of its scientific panel, and as a result, our children are not protected as they should be from the ravages of lead, which include diminished intelligence, learning disabilities, and other harmful health effects. This may be a "final rule" but it is not final as far as I am concerned. Requiring contractors to be certified and trained in dealing with lead paint is a step forward, but EPA failed to require reliable testing to ensure that children and pregnant women are safe after lead remediation is complete. I plan to introduce legislation that addresses the concerns of the EPA's scientific advisory committee."
