Key Takeaways:
– President Biden has issued a new rule to reduce lead exposure annually affecting approximately 1.2 million people.
– The rule strengthens requirements for lead paint dust removal in pre-1978 housing and child care facilities.
– The impacts of this rule offer public health and economic benefits around 30 times greater than the costs.
– Despite banning lead-based paints in residences in 1978, about 31 million houses built before the restriction still have lead-based paint.
– President Biden remains committed to reducing lead poisoning in various platforms like drinking water, paint, soil, food, household items, and workplaces.
Action Against Lead Exposure
President Joe Biden is upholding his promise to the American public, notably with his recent move to limit lead exposure. This action is part of a series of innovative strategies that the President has initiated in a bid to protect and improve the health and well-being of U.S. citizens.
Addressing a Persistent Threat
Lead, a potent neurotoxin, presents a significant and often overlooked health risk. It lingers in millions of homes across the country, making the threat of lead poisoning a real concern for large swaths of the population. In a major move forward, Biden has issued a final Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that extensively reduces lead exposure. The new rule strengthens mandatory requirements concerning the removal of lead paint dust in pre-1978 housing and child care facilities.
Targeting Lead’s Impact on Health
The implementation of this rule is expected to minimize lead exposure for nearly 1.2 million people every year. The benefits of this initiative far outweigh the associated costs, with estimated public health and economic rewards up to 30 times greater than the expenditure involved. The core focus is to safeguard children and communities across America from the harmful effects of lead dust generated from lead paint.
An Ongoing Battle
Lead paint was outlawed from residential use in the country in 1978. Despite this, about 31 million houses constructed before that year still contain lead-based paints. These painted surfaces pose a significant risk, especially for children under the age of six living in approximately 3.8 million of these homes.
The Biden-Harris Administration’s Tenacious Efforts
This new rule is part of the Biden-Harris Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan. The administration has initiated hundreds of measures across over ten agencies to limit the risk of lead poisoning. This comprehensive approach addresses lead threats in drinking water, paint, soil, food, household products, the workplace, and seeks to tackle lead exposure on global platforms.
A Promise Upheld and a Path Forward
Biden, committed to assisting the American public, stands by his promises. His recent decision to forgive more student loan debt further affirms his commitment to supporting the everyday American. This dedication continues to drive initiatives and policies meant to improve the lives of the population.
The President’s term may be drawing closer to its conclusion, scheduled officially to end at noon on January 20, 2025. But the actions and policies he has set into motion, like this recent move to reduce lead exposure, will continue to impact and benefit Americans for years to come. President Biden remains committed to making the most of his time in office, creating positive change, and putting the well-being of all Americans at the forefront of his Administration’s priorities.