Boy recognizes EPA’s National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week: Oct. 20-26

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) is Oct. 20-26, 2024. NLPPW is a vital initiative aimed at raising awareness about childhood lead exposure and the dangers of lead poisoning. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will host a series of informative webinars throughout the week. Topics include understanding lead exposure, knowing your rights regarding lead-based paint, and protecting your family from lead exposure. Webinar information and registration links:

• Know Your Rights! Federal Lead-based Paint Regulations (English with simultaneous Spanish interpretation): If you lease or own a pre-1978 house, join the EPA and HUD on Monday, Oct. 21 from 5–6:30 p.m. CST for a webinar to learn more about your rights under the lead-based paint disclosure rule and the renovation, repair and painting rules, including how you can report violations of those rules. Register here.
• Understanding Lead (English with sign language interpretation): Join the EPA Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 1–2 p.m. CST for a live webinar about lead, its impacts, and actions that can be taken to reduce potential lead exposures and lead poisoning. Register here.
• El impacto del plomo en el aire interior y en la salud de los niños (the impact of lead on indoor air and children's health, offered only in Spanish): Join the EPA and HUD Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 12–1 p.m. CST for a webinar about the impact of lead on indoor air quality, effects of lead on children and why they’re vulnerable along with sources of lead in the home and outdoors. Learn how to minimize your risk of lead exposure. Register here.
• Información sobre el plomo (Understanding Lead in Spanish): Join the EPA Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 1–2:30 p.m. CST for a live webinar in Spanish about lead, its impacts, and actions that can be taken to reduce potential lead exposures and lead poisoning. Register here.
• Leave lead behind: How to protect your family from exposure: Join the CDC Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 12–1 p.m. CST; learn more about how to prevent lead exposure, the health effects of lead exposure, what to do if a child has been exposed to lead and historical national trends for lead levels. Register here.
• Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule Awareness (English with simultaneous Spanish interpretation): Join EPA Thursday, Oct. 24 from 12–1 p.m. CST for a live presentation for contractors about the EPA's RRP rule, which concerns RRP projects in homes, childcare facilities and preschools built before 1978. Register here.

In 2023, State Rep. Pat Boy (D-Michigan City) supported Rep. Carolyn Jackson’s (D-Hammond) legislation, HEA 1138, which became law in May 2023. This law requires lead testing of drinking water at child care and preschool facilities, implementing crucial preventative measures against the long-term effects of lead poisoning on children’s neurological development. During the 2024 legislative session, Rep. Boy proposed HB 1229, demonstrating her commitment to ensuring the health and safety of lead poisoning prevention in children, and supported SEA 5, which speeds up the replacement of lead utility lines throughout the state.

Rep. Boy released the following statement in regards to NLPPW:

“During National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, I encourage everyone to participate by taking proactive steps to reduce lead exposure in our homes. Share important information about lead poisoning prevention with your friends and family, and use social media to spread the message further. Together, we have the power to make a real difference and create a healthier future for our communities.

In Indiana, we are making strides through legislative efforts to address lead exposure. At the Statehouse, I will continue to fight for further proactive measures that work to safeguard against the aggressive impacts of lead poisoning on our children and advocate for solutions that lead towards a lead-free Indiana.”