Written by Melanie Kozlan, Four Green Steps

The Environmental Protection agency has began a new effort to increase the safety of lead paints by requiring extensive testing and regulations for lead paint companies. This effort is especially helpful for institutions such as schools which still use lead paint even though it's known to cause brain damage in children.

From the Huffington Post:

The proposal was strongly opposed by the home-building lobbying groups, which claimed that it would cost an extra $100 to $500 per project and hurt business. Recently, the Window and Door Dealers Alliance made the battle a top priority and "organized industry leaders to attend a White House meeting with top Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs officials in order to present the industry case against the regulation," National Glass Association vice president David Walker told Glass magazine.

In addition, the industry pressured members of Congress, including Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) who offered last week an amendment to an appropriations bill that would make it more difficult for the EPA to enforce its Lead: Repair, Renovation and Painting rule. MORE

Image courtesy of Creative Commons.

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