US Senator Obama Starts Crusade Against Lead Paint
by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 11. 5.05
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was required by a 1992 law to issue regulations on lead paint before 1996. It is now almost 10 years after the original deadline and 14 years after the law, and nothing has been done. "I find it unbelievable that the EPA would continue to drag its feet despite the fact that their own analysis found that these rules could prevent 28,000 lead-related illnesses each year." Senator Obama from Illinois (the state with the highest rate of childhood lead poisoning in the country) has said that he would block all future EPA nominees until the agency issues the regulations on lead paint. ::Sen. Obama takes a stand on lead paint regulations, ::Democrat Says He Will Block EPA Nominees
This is amazing!!! Lead paints have been banned in Europe since I was a child. How can they NOT be illegal in the US?!?!
This is amazing!!! Lead paints have been banned in Europe since I was a child. How can they NOT be illegal in the US?!?!
I believe it was banned in 1978. The problem is that many homes were built before then and the paint has not been removed.
Am I wrong here? If so, somebody jump in!
You are correct on the 1978. The problem stems from old public housing and poorly maintained older low income housing etc. The paint gets old and flakes off making it easy for small children to get poisoned.
Ok after reading the article I see the problem he wants addressed. When older houses are remodeled it releases stirs up lead paint dust. My wife and I had our house tested for lead paint and only a few walls showed a trace. We've finished all the remodeling we plan to do that would stir up dust and replaced the old windows (the frames had the highest levels) with energy efficent ones. This way when we have children they shouldn't be exposed to lead paint chips.
Two added facts:
The ban on lead paint in 1978 was only for residential applications.
The standard for a lead-based paint hazard is chipped or peeling paint less than 4' above the floor.