Document Type

Working Paper

Publication Date

6-26-2019

SSRN Discipline

PSN Subject Matter eJournals; Biochemistry Research Network; BioRN Subject Matter eJournals; Chemistry Research Network; Architecture Research Network; Legal Anthropology eJournals; Medical Specialties eJournals; LSN Subject Matter eJournals; Health Economics Network; MedRN Subject Matter eJournals; Sustainability Research & Policy Network; Biology Research Network; Legal Scholarship Network; SRPN Subject Matter eJournals; AARN Subject Matter eJournals; Cognitive Science Network; Humanities Network; Political Science Network; Social Responsibility of Business eJournals; Anthropology & Archaeology Research Network; Medical Research Network; Health Law eJournals; Political Economy - Development eJournals

Abstract

Scientific evidence indisputably demonstrates that lead poisoning causes permanent neurological damage and numerous comorbidities for children and adults Exposure to lead hazards irreversibly harms individuals and left unchecked can devastate communities into the future In recognition of these threats the President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children Task Force was established by Executive Order in 1997 The original Task Force created the first coordinated federal response to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in the United States and set an ambitious tenyear timeline to achieve its goals of prevention treatment research and progress management However the most recent Task Force retreated from these bold goals Rather than eliminating lead poisoning in 2018 the Task Force sought merely to reduce it This Article provides a comprehensive overview of the dangers of lead exposure details the federal government's evolving response to lead poisoning and for the first time disseminates previously unpublished comments on "Drafting a New Federal Strategy to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and Impacts" submitted to the Task Force in 2017 ahead of its most recent report By providing these comments publicly this Article creates a record of critical recommendations to the Task Force provides best practices for the federal governments response to lead poisoning and encourages federal policymakers to take the necessary steps to meet the original goal of eradicating lead hazards and protecting children from lead poisoning

Download

Share

COinS