Extensive regulatory and educational efforts undertaken since the late 1970s, including CPSC's 1978 ban of most paints containing 0.06 percent or more lead, have dramatically reduced blood lead levels nationwide. Blood lead estimates from the most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey provided evidence supporting this public health achievement. Overall average blood lead levels were reduced by about 78 percent from 1976 to 1991. Although a 1993 CPSC study of consumer paint samples found that paints on the market meet the standard and are actually below the 0.06 percent level, the Commission continues to be concerned about lead that remains in older homes.
Childhood poisoning
is still a problem. Approximately 1.7 million children between the ages of 1 and 5 continue to
have blood lead levels of concern. In children, lead poisoning can cause irreversible brain
damage, delay mental and physical growth, and cause behavior and learning problems. Young
children are at greatest risk from lead-based paint, especially minority, low-income children living
in urban environments.
Most of the exposure to children and family members is in the home from lead-based paint. About 77 million privately owned and occupied residential homes built before 1980 contain lead-based paint. If properly managed and maintained, this paint is usually not a hazard. If improperly managed and maintained however, lead from paint can threaten the health of occupants.
In May 1995, CPSC and the Environmental Protection Agency produced a consumer booklet, "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home," which provides consumers with information about health effects associated with lead poisoning, areas in the home where lead-based paint is most likely found, steps that can be taken to reduce lead poisoning, and information about having homes checked for the presence of lead.
CPSC staff continues to warn the public and private sectors to reduce exposure to lead and increase consumer awareness. CPSC is a member of the Interagency Task Force on Lead and participates in ASTM proceedings to explore the development of methods to test for lead in paint. CPSC continues to distribute the consumer booklet on lead in the home to provide consumers with comprehensive and accurate information.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from the
unreasonable risk of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's
jurisdiction.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury and for information on
CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter
at (800) 638-8270.
Consumers can also report product hazards via electronic mail by sending a message to
info@cpsc.gov.
Comments: info@cpsc.gov
Revised: May 5, 1996
URL: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/success/lead.html