On October 24, 2024, coinciding with National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new standards aimed at reducing lead paint dust exposure in homes and childcare facilities built before 1978. These regulations are part of President Biden's comprehensive strategy to safeguard families and children from lead exposure.
The EPA's updated standards are expected to decrease lead exposure for nearly 1.2 million individuals annually, including between 178,000 and 326,000 children under six years old. Michael S. Regan, EPA Administrator, stated that "these protections will reduce lead exposures for hundreds of thousands of people every year," highlighting the impact on children's health and development.
Peggy Shepard from WE ACT for Environmental Justice emphasized the importance of these measures: “We can all breathe a little easier now that the EPA has significantly lowered its dust lead standard to protect children.” She noted the heightened vulnerability of Black children living below the poverty line in areas like Harlem.
The new rule lowers acceptable levels of lead in dust post-abatement to measurable levels by an EPA-recognized laboratory: floors from 10 µg/ft² to 5 µg/ft², window sills from 100 µg/ft² to 40 µg/ft², and window troughs from 400 µg/ft² to 100 µg/ft². These align with New York City's standards set in 2021.
Despite a federal ban on residential use of lead-based paint since 1978, approximately 31 million pre-1978 homes still contain it. Young children are particularly susceptible due to behaviors such as crawling and hand-to-mouth activities.
Communities facing economic challenges or historical racial segregation often encounter higher risks due to deteriorating housing conditions. The Biden-Harris administration has also implemented other measures such as mandating drinking water systems nationwide replace lead pipes within ten years.
EPA's decision separates reportable levels from action levels based on health factors alone while considering safety and reliability for clearance levels. This follows a May 2021 Ninth Circuit Court ruling aligning both standards with scientific evidence.
A public webinar is scheduled for December 5, providing further details on these regulatory changes.
