Virginia Injury Lawyer Blog

EPA proposes stricter health standard for airborne lead

The EPA has proposed a change in the standard for airborne lead stating that the current standard, which has held for some 30 years, does not protect children.  Although many strides have been made in lead pollution levels in part due to banning lead from gasoline, the levels as allowable today are unacceptable and leave our children at risk.

EPA Deputy Administrator Marcus Peacock stated that lead emissions in the air have declined 98% since current standard was established in the late 1970's. Unfortunately, and unacceptably, nearly 1,300 tons of lead is still released yearly into the environment.  Expert research in the impact of this toxin on our children has consistently confirmed even low levels of exposure to children is damaging.

Lead poisoning is one of the most devastating chronic environmental illnesses impacting children today.  Exposure to lead in children (and to a fetus) can cause brain and nervous system damage, behavioral and learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems, headaches, mental and physical retardation, and a variety of other health problems. 

Once poisoned, no organ system is immune and a major concern is the damage of lead poisoning to the developing brain.  Lead can be inhaled or ingested and is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.

Labels: childhood illness developmental issues EPA lead exposure lead poisoning lead standard