Qu.20

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Why is this rule necessary now? Hasn't lead poisoning largely been conquered already? Why is the Federal government focusing on lead-based paint when there are so many other basic housing problems?

The Agency is pleased by the progress that we've been able to make over the last 20 years of fighting childhood lead poisoning. Since the 1970's, blood lead levels in children have dropped by 70 percent. Much of this reduction is the result of past Federal action to phase-out lead in gasoline and to eliminate the use of lead solder in food cans. But studies tell us that more than 1.7 million children - one out of eleven - still have levels of lead in their bodies that may pose health concerns. This rule builds on the successes that we have already had by targeting the remaining major sources of lead in our communities: deteriorating or disturbed lead-based paint, lead-contaminated dust, and lead-contaminated soil.

Unlike some other household hazards, lead-based paint is not always something that parents can identify themselves. Given the health impacts from lead exposure and the power that information has in helping families avoid lead-poisoning, we believe that this is an example of the way that the Federal government can work with individuals and commercial businesses to help protect children from being lead poisoned in their own homes and child-care facilities.