Lead paint hurts all of us. Tell the EPA to finalize new safety standards

For some context, the EPA’s lead standards have never been set to identify dangerous levels of lead despite Congress directing the EPA to do so. After two lawsuits brought by Earthjustice attorneys, EPA is finally doing what the law requires. The EPA is finally proposing standards that reflect the lived reality of the clients Earthjustice represents. Their lived reality is that any exposure to lead can result in serious health harms. Every exposure — whether that’s from lead dust, water, soil, or air — compounds in our bodies, which increases the likelihood of harm. It’s imperative that EPA strengthens its lead paint standards as it works to address lead in drinking water and other sources.

These lead exposures are also an environmental justice issue. This proposed rule would improve public health by reducing lead exposures from dust for up to 436,000 young children per year. The EPA estimates that this rule (if finalized) would result in monetized benefits ranging from $1.1 billion to $4.7 billion per year — all from increased lifetime earnings based on improved cognitive function that will result from implementation of this rule. This rule will particularly benefit children in low-wealth households and Black children, who face disproportionately high exposures to lead dust from paint.

There is no safe level of lead exposure and that’s why it’s important that the EPA finalizes this proposed rule. Send a letter to the EPA today.