Airborne Lead Level Regulations Significantly Tightened Up In The USA

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Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Water - Air Quality / Agriculture
Article Date: 18 Oct 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says it has significantly strengthened air quality standards for lead. The agency says it is crucial to protect the health of humans, especially children. The new levels of airborne lead are now 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter of air (ug/m3).

EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson said "America's air is cleaner than a generation ago. With these stronger standards a new generation of Americans are being protected from harmful lead emissions."

This is the first time in three decade that lead standards have been altered, the EPA says. After carrying out a "thorough review of science on lead" as well as considering recommendations given by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, plus comments from the public, the EPA says it decided to change the legal standards.

Two standards have been set. Firstly, a standard at 0.15 ug/m3 to protect public health. Secondly, a standard at the same level to protect the public welfare, including the environment.

The current lead monitoring system is not enough to determine whether many parts of the country would meet the new standards, the Agency informs. Therefore it is redesigning the country lead monitoring network.

By October 2011 the EPA will designate areas that will have to take further steps to reduce lead air emissions. After designations take effect, states will have five years to meet the new standards.

The EPA informs that over 6,000 studies have examined the effects of lead on health and the environment since 1990. Several have found an association between damaged child development and exposure to low lead levels - some of the developmental damage includes IQ loss.

Airborne lead can be inhaled or ingested by humans - ingestion being the main route of exposure. When lead enters your body it is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and can affect several organs, as well as undermining a child's developing nervous system.

According to the EPA, lead emissions have gone down 97% in the United States since 1980. Most of this fall has been due to the Agnecy's phasing out of lead in gasoline.

Current lead levels in the USA are well below 1978 standards. Today airborne lead originates mostly from iron and steel foundries and general aviation gasoline. Over 1,300 tons of lead is emitted into the air each year, the EPA estimates.

-- Click here for more information about lead in the air (EPA Website)

Source
EPA

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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