February, 2024 - www.unleadedkids.org

February 27, 2024July 31, 2026Food, Lead

Lead in Food: Be Cautious Pointing to Codex

Codex’s standards have a global impact because they are referenced in a World Trade Organization agreement. Therefore, although Codex standards are voluntary, food and food ingredients traded between countries are expected to comply with Codex standards.

February 22, 2024July 31, 2026Health Risks, Lead

Mapping Lead: EPA Study Identifies Nation’s Hotspots

EPA’s scientists, with support from colleagues at HUD and CDC, published an impressive study identifying the nation’s potential lead exposure hotspots that warrant a deeper analysis for targeting lead actions. The map below shows 30,208 census tracts identified as highest potential lead exposure risk locations based on one of five indexes and two statistical methods.

February 15, 2024July 31, 2026Health Risks, Lead

EPA’s 10-year review finds stronger evidence of harmful effects of lead

EPA finalized its Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Lead last week, updating its 2013 version with evidence published in the past decade about the potential effects associated with exposure to lead. Based on the new evidence, the agency revised its 2013 findings of the connection between lead and specific harms.

February 13, 2024July 31, 2026Lead, Paint

Lead Paint: Rhode Island Summit Highlights New Laws & Backsliding on Registry

Rhode Island held an impressive second annual Summit to End Childhood Lead Poisoning cosponsored by the state’s Attorney General and Department of Health. I was honored to be able to join about 200 people who participated in person on February 2.

February 7, 2024July 31, 2026Lead, Pipes, Water

Lead in Water: Our Comments on EPA’s Proposed Improvements to LCR

If finalized as proposed, the rule should virtually eliminate the estimated 9.2 million lead service lines (LSLs) from our public water systems with the vast majority replaced by 2037. This would be a major achievement in the effort to reduce children’s and adult’s exposure to lead in drinking water.

February 1, 2024July 31, 2026Food, Lead

Lead in Food: Court of Appeals Doubts FDA’s Commitment to Standards

FDA is already under pressure to move faster on its action levels for lead, cadmium, and arsenic under the leadership of its new Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, Jim Jones. This court decision, along with the recall of applesauce pouches, should increase that pressure.