EPA's Region 6 Lead Strategy Listening Sessions
Region 6 EPA’s Listening Session Lead Strategy Recording
On February 15, 2022, EPA Region 6 hosts a virtual public comment session to provide verbal input on the draft Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposure and Disparities in U.S Communities (Lead Strategy) to the EPA. Click on the link below to view the EPA Region 6 Listening Session recording.
Background
The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed and is seeking public comment on a draft Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposure and Disparities in the U.S. Communities (Lead Strategy). The draft Lead Strategy lays out Agency and government-wide approaches to strengthen public health protections, address legacy lead contamination for communities with the greatest exposures and promote environmental justice.
Ongoing exposure to lead in the environment poses a health risk to many people nationwide. Very low levels of lead in children’s blood have been linked to adverse effects on intellect, concentration, and academic achievement. The U.S has made substantial progress in reducing lead exposure, but significant disparities remain along racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic lines.
For example, Black children and those from low-income households have persistently been higher blood lead levels than non-Hispanic white children and those from higher-income families. The EPA developed the Lead Strategy to eliminate these disparities by taking targeted actions to prevent childhood exposure, leading to lifelong health effects and barriers to social and economic well-being.
Watch the Region 6 Lead Strategy Listening Session
EPA’s Approach and Public Comments period
EPA will use the feedback received during the public comment period to determine if additional revisions need to be incorporated into the Lead Strategy before it is finalized.
- EPA will accept public comments until March 16, 2022
- Comments can be submitted in writing on the regulations.gov website.
Listening Session on EPA’s draft Lead Strategy – Tribal
A new recording from EPA shows the session for Tribes on March 7, 2022, to provide verbal input on the draft Lead Strategy to EPA. The draft Lead Strategy lays out approaches to strengthen public health protections, address legacy lead contamination for communities with the greatest exposures, and promote environmental justice. Watch the recording on the link to Engagement Sessions on Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities.