After years of delay, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency must propose tighter limits on the amount of lead allowed inside homes within 90 days to protect children from the hazards of lead paint, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco found the EPA has a duty to update its standards on lead dust in the interiors of homes following years of scientific evidence that the current rules are insufficient to prevent lead poisoning. The EPA was required to update its standards for lead inside homes under a 1992 law that set out to reduce and, ultimately, eliminate the risk of lead poisoning to children. “The children exposed to lead poisoning due to the failure of EPA to act are severely prejudiced by EPA’s delay,” Schroeder wrote. Judge N. Randy Smith dissented, arguing that however harmful the current lead limits are to children, the law does not require the EPA to act.

Source: Los Angeles Times December 28, 2017 02:15 UTC