Xavier Becerra United States Secretary of Health and Human Services | Official Website
The President’s Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children has released the Progress Report on the Federal Lead Action Plan, providing a comprehensive update on the government's progress since 2018 in reducing childhood lead exposures. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are spearheading these efforts as co-leading members of the Task Force’s Lead Exposures Subcommittee.
EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe commented, “We’ve made excellent progress toward protecting children from the risks of lead exposure, advancing President Biden’s commitment to environmental justice and protections for all communities.” She added that federal agencies have taken significant steps to reduce lead exposure, emphasizing their united commitment to improving children's health and ensuring that pollution-burdened populations have opportunities for healthier lives.
Echoing this sentiment, HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel Levine stated, “Children are our future. We must ensure that they have safe places to learn and grow." She further highlighted that the progress report outlines measures being taken to reduce childhood exposure to lead, reflecting the Biden-Harris administration's commitment to environmental justice and health equity.
HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman also weighed in, stating that protecting vulnerable populations is paramount. She noted that their Task Force's progress in implementing the Action Plan reflects a shared commitment to investing resources in lead safety programs.
The 2018 Federal Lead Action Plan was launched with a clear vision: reducing childhood exposure to lead and its harmful effects. Since then, federal entities have been implementing strategies outlined in the plan, leveraging partnerships with states, Tribes, local communities, businesses, and caregivers towards achieving this goal.
The progress report summarizes significant strides made toward reducing lead exposure through landmark initiatives such as reducing lead in drinking water, land, air, food, housing, consumer products, improving childhood lead poisoning testing, enhancing lead hazard communication, and supporting critical research.
The President’s Task Force serves as the federal government's focal point for planning and acting together to improve children’s environmental health and safety. The Task Force collaborates with multiple government departments, agencies, and other federal partners to coordinate efforts addressing various environmental and social stressors that threaten children's health. These efforts have complemented the Biden-Harris Administration’s Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan and the President’s Justice40 Initiative.
