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Lead Paint Safety
Lead paint safety is one of the current issues being addressed by
the state government. In fact, they have implemented a number of
grants to state programs that aims to clean the lead out of their
respective cities. One is the Get the Lead Out program of the state
of Illinois with a US$ 3 million federal grant and the US$ 1.4
million dollar federal grant of the Minneapolis Department of
Health. Both programs aim to remove lead paint from more than a
thousand homes and make the city lead-free.
The lead paint scare has created a new business that created profit
for lead-testing companies as well as pushed for the required
implementation of industry standard processes that will ensure the
safety of painted products.
For toy companies such as Toys "R" Us, they implemented a new
testing line during mass production of the toys to test for lead
content. State lawmakers, on the other hand, are planning to push
for requirements of product testing and certification. This will be
similar to the UL markings on electrical appliances assuring
consumers of its high quality.
Parents are turning to locally available products that can test lead
levels. Doctors identify these products more like a screening test
for lead content. Lead Check, for instance, is available for less
than US$ 4 and can be used to detect lead on painted surfaces of
wood, metal, and plastic. Manufacturers of such products, however,
remind the public that their products can never replace the lead
paint safety inspection done by a licensed lead inspector or a
lead-testing laboratory.
Although lead paint is already banned, the state is still
implementing lead paint safety checks on industry paints specially
those being used for residential homes. With this, they hope to make
their cities lead-free as soon as possible.
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