Several governmental agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are collaborating to reduce health risks from lead hazards, particularly among children. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have also signed agreements to spearhead this initiative.
"EPA is committed to working with our federal partners to protect children from the harmful effects of lead poisoning, which remains far too prevalent in communities across America," said David M. Uhlmann, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "Today’s agreement demonstrates that EPA and HUD will enforce the law fairly and aggressively to protect children, particularly those living in overburdened and underserved communities, from exposure to lead-based paint in their homes."
According to an EPA news release, the agency has signed two memoranda of understanding (MOUs) that will strengthen HUD’s Strategic Plan, HHS’s Strategic Plan, the Lead and Paint Action Plan, and the EPA’s Strategic Plan in their efforts to advocate for environmental justice for underserved communities. Furthermore, an agreement between EPA and HUD mitigating lead-based paint hazards in housing that dates back to 1997 has been enhanced.
"With this agreement, we will collaborate across the federal government to enforce the laws that aim to ensure the healthy housing future that American children deserve," said Matthew Ammon, director of HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes. "HUD is proud to join our federal partners at EPA to better align our enforcement efforts and ensure that we are protecting families – especially families with limited resources – from lead-based paint hazards in their home."
The news release states that over 34 million homes in America contain some form of lead paint within their structures. This accounts for 3.3 million homes with children under six at risk of exposure to lead-based paint hazards. Currently, there are over one million children in the country suffering from lead poisoning, which affects their ability to learn.
