Lead

The Issue
Lead is a highly toxic metal known to damage the brain, nerves, kidneys, heart, and other organs. Exposure to lead can also causes seizures, mental retardation, behavioral disorders, memory problems, mood changes, learning disorders and lowered IQ.

EPA Action
Since the 1980's, EPA and its federal partners have phased out lead in gasoline, reduced lead in drinking water and in industrial air pollution, and banned or limited lead used in consumer products such as residential paint. As a result of EPA's regulatory efforts, levels of lead in the air have decreased by 94% between 1980 and 1999. The amount of lead in people's blood has also decreased significantly in recent years: a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey reported a 78% decrease in the levels of lead in people's blood between 1976 and 1991.

EPA's National Center for Environmental Assessment periodically evaluates the latest research concerning the public health and welfare effects of lead and publishes the Air Quality Criteria Document for Lead. This document provides the scientific basis for the establishment of national air quality standards.

The latest version of the Air Quality Criteria Document for Lead was published in October 2006. Air quality criteria documents are vetted through a rigorous peer review process, including review by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Council and public comment periods.

Related Links

• Basic Information about lead in the air
• Information about lead in paint, dust, and soil
• Lead regulations

History

Sept 2006	Air Quality Criteria Document for Lead, finalized document released
July 2006	Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) meets to review Second External Review Draft of Air Quality Criteria Document for Lead
May 2006	Second External Review Draft of Air Quality Criteria Document for Lead released for public comment
Feb 2006	CASAC meets to review First External Review Draft of Air Quality Criteria Document for Lead
Dec 2005	First External Review Draft of Air Quality Criteria Document for Lead released for public comment
Aug 2005	EPA conducts peer consultative workshops
Mar 2005	CASAC teleconsultation on Air Quality Criteria Document Development Plan
Jan 2005	EPA publishes Project Work Plan for Revised Air Quality for Lead
Nov 2004	EPA begins the mandated periodic revision of the Air Quality Criteria Document for Lead
Aug 1990	Supplement to the 1986 AQCD for Lead Addendum published
June 1986	Air Quality Criteria Document for Lead published
Jan 1984	Second External Review Draft of Air Quality Criteria Document for Lead released for public comment
Oct 1983	First External Review Draft of Air Quality Criteria Document for Lead released for public comment
Dec 1977	Air Quality Criteria Document for Lead published

Best Resources

U.S. EPA. Air Quality Criteria for Lead (2006) Final Report. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-05/144aF-bF, 2006.

---

List additional resources associated with Lead