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EPA to Reduce Airborne Lead Limits |
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Written by Kathy Nargi-Toth
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Monday, 05 May 2008 |
WASHINGTON -- The EPA is proposing a major reduction in allowable airborne lead. The new proposal is expected to come into affect in mid-September. The new EPA proposal lowers allowable concentrations of lead in the air to a range 0.10 to 0.30 micrograms per cubic meter, compared to the current human health standard of 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter.
The current lead health standard remains unchanged since it was originally enacted 30 years ago. While lead contamination in the environment has been on the decline, lead emissions largely from industrial sources remain an air quality issue. The new proposal would reduce allowable airborne lead by up to 93% from current standards.
Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said the proposed requirement still "would leave children in harm's way."
1,300 tons of lead is released annually in the U.S.
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