The following press release was published by the US EPA on Oct. 25. It is reproduced in full below.
WASHINGTON (Oct. 25, 2021) Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joins its federal agency partners in highlighting National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 25-29, 2021. EPA, along with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are working to raise awareness, provide resources, and encourage preventive actions to decrease childhood lead exposure during the week and beyond.
“Despite all the progress we have made in reducing lead in our environment over the last 40 years, too many people in this country still face significant health risks from lead exposure, especially children who are the most vulnerable among us,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “EPA is committed to protecting the nation’s children from the harmful effects of lead, especially in overburdened and underserved communities across the country.”
Lead can cause irreversible and life-long health effects, including decreasing IQ, focus, and academic achievement in children. While lead is dangerous to all children, not all children are equally exposed to lead, nor do they suffer the same consequences of exposure. The harmful impacts of lead disproportionately impact environmentally overburdened, low-income families and their communities.
EPA Actions:
Because children can be exposed to lead from multiple sources in their environment, EPA is taking a whole of government approach to reducing blood lead levels in children by working closely with other federal agencies such as HUD and CDC that can help address this issue, as well as with state, Tribal, and local government partners. Over the next several years, EPA will target opportunities to focus resources on the most vulnerable communities. For example:
In addition, EPA will be carrying out the following activities during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week to help a wide variety of audiences learn more about preventing lead exposure.
Background:
Established in 1999 by the US Senate, National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week occurs every year during the last week in October. During this week, many states and communities offer free blood-lead testing and conduct various education and awareness events.
For more information on what EPA, HUD, and CDC are doing during NLPPW:
EPA - https://www.epa.gov/lead/national-lead-poisoning-prevention-week
HUD - https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/healthy_homes/nlppw
CDC - https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/national-lead-poisoning-prevention-week.htm
For more information on EPA and Lead: https://www.epa.gov/lead
Source: US EPA
Alerts Sign-up