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Removing Lead from the Environment
Since 1999, the Environmental Protection Agency has accredited training providers and certified lead-based paint professionals to carry out lead-based paint abatements. Region 9 and the authorized state of California successfully created a workforce of more than 6,894 certified professionals in lead-based paint activities. About 73% are certified workers and supervisors.
Abatement Results
In fiscal year 2005, 1,114 lead–based paint abatements were performed in California, Arizona, and Hawaii.
In fiscal year 2005, 1,114 lead-based paint abatements were performed in California, Arizona and Hawaii involving more than 4,000 certified workers. Workers removed 2,016,595 square feet of lead-based paint surface and 64,234 pounds of lead from the environment in Region 9. Over 87% of the abatements were performed in California, primarily in the urban areas of Los Angeles, Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Of the remaining 13% outside California, 97% of the abatements were in Environmental Justice areas within Phoenix, Arizona, with 1% in military housing in Honolulu, The abatements conducted in the State of Hawaii were significant as most of the abatements performed were in older military housing with deteriorating lead-based paint where a large number of children under six years of age reside.
Although lead-based paint was banned for use in residential housing in 1978, figures developed by the President's Task Force on Lead in July 1995 estimated that there were 2.4 million housing units in Region 9 with lead hazards. Region 9's Lead Program reviewed documented lead-based paint abatements done from 2000 to 2004 and found that, during those four years, more than 10,431 lead-based paint abatements were conducted. As a result, 17,000,000 square feet of lead-based paint surface, and 500,000 pounds of lead were removed from the environment.
U.S. EPA Awards Two Federal Grants to Identify and/or Reduce Childhood Lead-Poisoning in Arizona (12/01/2005)
Press release: EPA awards $100,000 grant to Tucson non-profit to increase childhood blood-lead awareness.
Press release: EPA awards $59,249 grant to Arizona for childhood blood-lead screening