10 Policies to Prevent and Respond to Childhood Lead Exposure: An Assessment of the Risks Communities Face and Key Federal, State, and Local Solutions

Copyright

2017

Sponsored By

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

The report begins with a history of lead in the U.S. and the policies enacted to address it, a discussion of the impact of lead on children’s brains and the disproportionate risks to low-income children and children of color, and a description of the study methods and limitations. It then examines policies to prevent exposure, as well as research gaps revealed during the study of those policy options. Later sections look at strategies for improving blood lead testing in children and at programs to help mitigate the effects of lead in children already exposed. Each policy discussion includes literature review findings; case studies; input from stakeholders; potential challenges; and, when possible, costs, benefits, and simulated effects on children’s lifetime outcomes. The study concludes with a detailed list of actions federal, state, and local policymakers can take to implement the above recommendations.