Though it is widely known that exposure to lead is very dangerous, especially for children six and under, there are no laws requiring preschools or daycare centers to be lead-free (or even to be tested for lead) before they are granted a license to operate. Sign this petition to ask the EPA to enact regulations requiring ALL US preschools and daycare centers be completely lead-free before they are granted licenses!
Even at low levels, lead exposure can cause disturbing reading and learning disabilities, impaired hearing, reduced attention span, hyperactivity, and behavior problems in young children.
In 2005, the EPA amended their 1992 Lead-Based Paint Reduction Act to show that up to three million children under the age of six showed signs of low-level lead poisoning. Buildings built before 1980 in the US are all at risk for containing lead-based paint, and pre-1950 houses are disproportionally likely to contain traces of lead.
Most parents check to make sure their homes are lead-free for their young children but fail to ensure other places are safe as well. Please help convince the EPA to require new preschools and daycare centers to evaluate and remove traces of lead in their buildings!
