Lead

October 22, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is marking National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week by announcing several actions the agency proposes to take to prevent lead poisoning. Lead poisoning may cause a variety of adverse health effects, including brain and nervous system disorders, high blood pressure, and hypertension. Children six years old and under are most at risk.

EPA has issued a proposed rule to expand the coverage of the 2008 Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule. The new rule proposes to eliminate a provision that exempted some housing from the rule’s requirement that contractors be trained and certified and use lead-safe work practices when renovating, repairing or painting a pre-1978 home.    » read more »

October 18 -24 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

(San Francisco, Calif. -- 10/19/2009) National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 18-24, is set aside to educate parents and children about the dangers of lead exposure, especially lead-based paint hazards in housing.

Lead poisoning is the number one environmental hazard threatening children in the United States -- affecting more than 300,000 children who are less than six years old. Lead exposure can harm young children and babies even before they are born, and children who appear healthy can also have high levels of lead in their bodies. The behaviors and rapid growth of children less than six years old make them more likely to be harmed by lead.    » read more »

October 9, 2009 -- Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded Chautauqua County with a grant totaling $2,641,354. The funds are provided through HUD’s Lead Hazard Control Program.

“The same older housing stock that contributes to Chautauqua County’s character also adds to the risk factor for lead poisoning,” said Congressman Higgins. “This sizeable grant will support education and prevention to reduce this risk and keep our children and neighborhoods safe.”    » read more »

State Agencies Will Collaborate on the Development of a Coordinated Strategy to Eradicate Childhood Exposure to Lead

June 2, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced the creation of the Governor’s Task Force on the Prevention of Childhood Lead Poisoning to further the State’s efforts to eliminate childhood lead poisoning. The Task Force will bring together a variety of State agencies to make findings and recommendations for the development and implementation of a coordinated strategy to reduce childhood exposure to lead.    » read more »

Department Housing and Urban Development funding will help eliminate lead paint in King County, Spokane, and statewide

May 19, 2009 -- Last week, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that $6,725,000 has been made available for Washington state by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help eliminate dangerous lead-based paint from low-income homes and protect young children from lead poisoning. This funding was included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) last week announced the release of $7,579,126 to help eliminate dangerous lead-based paint from low-income homes and protect young children from lead poisoning in Connecticut. The funds were released by the Department of Housing and Urban Development as a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.    » read more »

Funding will help protect Hoosier children, keep homes safe from lead paint and other hazards

Washington – Senator Evan Bayh today announced that Indiana will receive more than $7.4 million in economic recovery funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to keep Hoosier children safe by removing lead-based paint in homes and preventing other common health hazards.

The City of Gary and Elkhart County will each receive three million dollars in Lead Based Paint Hazard Control grants, a program that safely removes lead-based paint from privately-owned and low-income housing. Lead ingestion poses a serious health risk, including stunted growth and kidney damage, to children under the age of six.    » read more »

Grants to protect children, create healthy housing and create jobs

May 15, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - Following a tour of the Esperanza Community Housing Corporation in South Central Los Angeles, Vice President Biden today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is making nearly than $100 million in Recovery Act funding available to help eliminate dangerous lead-based paint and other health and safety hazards from low-income homes.

HUD's grants will help 53 local programs in 20 states and the District of Columbia to protect young children from lead poisoning and create jobs. To view a summary of local programs funded through the Recovery Act, visit HUD's website.    » read more »

Texas Rep. Eddie Rodriguez Files Bill That Will Improve Regulation, Protect Health and Environment

March 12, 2009 -- AUSTIN – Texas is the worst state in the nation in terms of toxic coal-ash waste that would result from both proposed and existing dirty coal-fired power plants, according to a new Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) report that will be released with the participation of Public Citizen’s Texas office. Despite the fact that coal combustion waste contains toxic heavy metals such as arsenic, chromium, lead and mercury, it is not regulated as a hazardous waste by either the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).    » read more »

January 27, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Lip Gloss Keychains

Units: About 75,000

Importer: Markwins Beauty Products, of City of Industry, Calif.

Hazard: The metal clasp attached to the keychain contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.    » read more »

August 12, 2008 -- The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Sun Smarties™ Children’s Board Skirts

Children’s Board Skirts Recalled By Chelsea & Scott Ltd. Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Units: About 600

Manufacturer: Chelsea & Scott Ltd., of Lake Bluff, Ill.

Hazard: The paint on the grommets of the skirts contains an excess level of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.    » read more »

May 22, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

American Scientific Recalls 87,000 Magnets Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Name of Product: Magnets

Units: About 87,000

Importer: American Scientific LLC, of Columbus, Ohio

Hazard: Surface paint on the magnets can contain high levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.    » read more »

May 22, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Floppy Friends Horse Toys Recalled by Toy Investments Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Name of Product: Floppy Friends Horse Toys

Units: About 300

Importer: Toy Investments Inc., d/b/a Toysmith, of Auburn, Wash.

Hazard: Surface paint on the toy horse contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.    » read more »

May 21, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today celebrated the signing of LD 2048, "An Act to Protect Children's Health and the Environment from Toxic Chemicals in Toys and Children's Products.” The Governor commended House Majority Leader Representative Hannah Pingree for her continued leadership in the area consumer product safety.

“Thanks to the partnership developed between the Administration, our Legislative leadership and dedicated advocates, Maine is a leader in protecting our children from harmful chemicals,” said Governor Baldacci.

The Governor said that encouraging the use of safer chemicals that provide increased protection to human health and the environment supports innovation and economic opportunity.    » read more »

Strengthens Consumer Notifications; Requires Warning Labels for Toys Containing Lead, Magnets and Liquids

May 13, 2008 -- New York Governor Paterson today announced the submission of legislation to keep dangerous toys and other products out of children’s hands.

Galison/Mudpuppy Wire Bound Journals and Calendars Recalled Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

The “Children’s Product Safety and Recall Effectiveness Act of 2008” will protect New York children from unsafe toys and durable juvenile products (such as cribs, car seats, high chairs, playpens or other similar items) that may be available to consumers even after they have been recalled.    » read more »