It is absolutely unacceptable that so many of our children should suffer from a disease that is entirely preventible. Simon is director of EPA Region 2's Division of Enforcement and Compliance Assistance, with responsibility for the region's lead poisoning prevention program. There is no better teacher than a motivated parent. Community residents must take the lead in reaching people living in these apartments. The Lead Busters project and support from EPA are significant contributions to this effort.
Lead poisoning is one of the most serious environmental health threats facing children today.
In children under the age of six, even low levels of lead affect intellectual, behavioral and physical development. Studies show that a lead-poisoned child is six times as likely to have a reading disability, seven times as likely to drop out of high school. Return to top of this News Release Return to News Release Index.