?Lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, behavioral problems, seizures and death, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It is especially harmful to fetuses and young children.
Most children are exposed to dangerous levels of lead when they live in homes built before 1978 – the year on which lead based paints were banned due to health concerns. Federal and state governments are sponsoring programs to reduce and eradicate the problem. As an example, a $2.9 million federal grant will enable the city of Indianapolis to provide for lead tests for children, lead dust kits for families and construction on about 400 housing units as part of a Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration program.
