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Department of Ecology News Release - September 21, 2009
09-230
OLYMPIA – The Washington departments of Ecology and Health are recommending actions to protect human health and the environment from lead in the Lead Chemical Action Plan, with special emphasis on lead-based paints.
“Many people are surprised to learn that there is still a lot of lead-based paint on surfaces of older buildings, particularly those built before 1960,” said Carol Kraege, Ecology’s Reducing Toxic Threats coordinator.
“Because those old painted surfaces constitute a continuing threat to people, a primary focus of Washington’s new plan is reducing exposure from lead-based paints in older homes. For example, we propose testing high-risk children for blood lead levels, and if housing is the source of high levels, working with the home owner to remove the lead.”
With the valuable help of other agencies and a diverse group of stakeholders, the plan was developed to identify the dangers of lead, where it can be found in the environment, describe how people and animals are exposed and recommend ways to reduce its harm.
Lead is highly toxic to most living things. Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of lead.
Lead is a naturally occurring element, known for being soft, malleable and resistant to corrosion. In the past, lead was used extensively in paints, gasoline, plumbing and pesticides. Exposure to old lead-based paint is the most frequent cause of lead poisoning in children today.
While many uses of lead have been phased out, lead is still found in many new products. It is relatively inexpensive and very versatile. The largest use of lead currently is for automotive lead-acid batteries. Computers, solder and other alloys (including brass plumbing fixtures), vinyl, ammunition, fishing tackle, wheel weights, optical glass, and stained glass also use lead.
The Lead Chemical Action Plan (CAP) was developed by the departments of Ecology and Health, with help from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and an advisory committee of 17 representatives of business, health, environmental, and local government organizations.
The CAP recommends a variety of actions, including public education, increased blood lead testing, continued environmental testing, removal of existing exposure sources, and preventing new exposure sources.
In addition to reducing exposure to lead-based paints in older homes, the plan contains recommendations to reduce occupational lead exposures in the workplace.
The plan also recommends encouraging consumers to voluntarily reduce their use of lead-containing products, especially where safer alternatives are available.
Earlier this year, legislation was approved requiring that after Jan. 1, 2011, lead wheel weights be replaced with environmentally preferred alternatives at the time tires are replaced or balanced. The law applies to cars and light trucks only.
Chemical Action Plans are required by Ecology’s 2006 PBT (persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic) Rule. The substances on the PBT list are considered the “worst of the worst.” That’s because they remain (persist) in the environment for a long time. They build up (bioaccumulate) in the bodies of humans and animals. And they are very harmful (toxic), even in small doses.
The first CAP, for mercury, was published in January 2003. The second, for flame retardants called polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, was published in January 2006. Lead is the third. A CAP is a plan to help guide future policy. It is not a new law or a regulation.
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Media Contacts:
Kathy Davis, Ecology media relations, 360-407-6149
Carol Kraege, Ecology Waste 2 Resources Program, 360-407-6906
For more information: Lead Chemical Action Plan www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/pbt/lead.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
