|
Dear USET/USET SPF Family,
This alert is to inform Tribal Communities and USET Member Nations to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) issuance of the final version of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), finalized on October 8, 2024. Several important and significant changes were made from the LCRI proposed in 2023. These changes include more rigorous testing of drinking water, a lower threshold requirement so that communities are better protected and informed about lead exposure in water. With the lower threshold requirement, it allows communities to take action to protect the people most vulnerable to lead exposure. The final rule will require all drinking water systems to identify and replace all lead pipes within 10 years.
The EPA is also announcing $2.6 billion in newly available funding for drinking water infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which will dissolve drinking water-state revolving funds (DWSRFs) and will support lead pipe replacement and inventory projects. With 49% of the funds allocated to disadvantaged communities, the funds will be imbursed as grant funding or principal forgiveness that does not have to be repaid. Competitive grant funding availability of $35 million was also announced by the EPA for reducing lead in drinking water.
USET Member Tribal Nation citizens should be aware of more than 15 new actions that have been included in the LCRI, such as:
- Lowering the threshold (the level of lead that in drinking water to trigger an action plan) by 33%: from 15 µg/L to 10 µg/L;
- Collaborating with Tribal, local, state, and federal partners to accelerate the replacement of lead pipes over the next decade;
- EPA allocating $3 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to Tribes, Territories, and states, for lead service line replacement in 2022, and calling on states to prioritize underserved communities;
- EPA launching a new regulatory process to protect communities from lead in drinking water;
- Treasury clarifying that the $350 billion State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund provided in the American Rescue Plan can be used for lead service line and lead faucet and fixture replacements;
- EPA and Department of Labor (DOL) establishing regional technical assistance hubs to fast-track lead service line removal projects in partnership with labor unions and local water agencies;
- United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarding grants to remove lead paint and other home health hazards in low-income communities to protect children and families;
- Center for Disease Control (CDC) closing gaps in childhood lead testing through the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program;
- HUD, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Department of Interior (DOI) committing to remove lead service lines and paint hazards in federally assisted housing, including Tribal housing; and
- Establishing a new Cabinet Level Partnership for Lead Remediation in Schools and Child Care Centers.
According to the EPA, there is no exposure to lead that does not come without risks. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set tolerance levels and continually monitors and regulates lead levels in food products by sampling potentially contaminated products. If the FDA finds a substance with high lead levels, they take regulatory action to recall foods and potentially work with manufacturers to prevent the products from entering or remaining in the U.S. food market.
The impact from this rule change will greatly benefit USET’s member Tribal Nations and their communities. The LRCI will give a faster timeline for replacing all old lead service lines, improve sampling methods, and help identify problem areas more accurately. This will allow more precise interventions where extra work is needed. This updated rule will also increase transparency by requiring water systems to provide information, in greater detail, about the location of service lines and also public education regarding lead exposure risks. The expansion of the LCRI will provide more funding opportunities to Tribal communities affected by lead exposure.
Lead Poisoning/Toxicity and Health
Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal present in our environment. However, long exposure, and/or exposure of large amounts of lead is toxic and can have serious health consequences, especially if consumed. How lead affects an individual is based on several factors such as age, nutrition status, source and amount of lead exposure, length of exposure and any underlying health conditions.
Those most at risk of the effects of lead are children between the ages of 0-6 years old and pregnant individuals. Children are at most risk for any lead exposure due to their rapidly developing bodies taking any lead in if exposed. Pregnant people are at risk due to lead effects on growing fetuses. Consumption to reach an unhealthy blood lead levels is 2.2 µg in children and 8.8 µg per for females of childbearing age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says children with blood lead levels 3.5 µg/dL and above should receive prompt actions to mitigate exposure and potential health effects.
Lead Poisoning Signs and Symptoms
Lead poisoning is not normally an acute event, but sustained exposure to high levels of lead can produce acute signs and symptoms. Signs and symptoms can overlap with other conditions, which can make it difficult to diagnose.
- Acute signs and symptoms in adults can include:
- Neurocognitive deficits (memory or concentration issues)
- Joint and muscle pains
- Seizures
- Abdominal pain
- Anemia
Long-term exposure signs and symptoms in adults:
- Acute symptoms
- Lethargy/fatigue
- Kidney damage
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Heart Disease
- Peripheral neuropathy (damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord)
Acute signs and symptoms in pregnant people can include:
- Decreased fetal growth
- Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy)
- Reduced fetal birth weight
- Spontaneous abortion (miscarriage)
Acute signs and symptoms in children:
- Same as adults, but these effects without immediate treatment can become permanent
Long-Term exposure signs and symptoms in children:
- Delayed physical and mental development in infants
- Lowered IQ levels
- Impaired hearing
- Reduced attention span
- Poor classroom performance
If you or your family are believed to have ingested or been exposed to these recalled products, contact your healthcare provider to get a blood lead test. Based on the results of this test, certain treatments can be given to reduce exposure and/or further treatment recommendations can be made.
The Lead Testing Program
Clean and safe water is essential and paramount to building a sustainable economy, successful educational and public health systems, and most importantly, a healthy and productive environment for children. The USET Office of Environmental Resource Management’s (OERM) Lead Testing program has adopted the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 3Ts program for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Childcare Facilities. This program was developed to help schools and child-care facilities to implement a voluntary program for reducing lead in drinking water.
Our Lead Testing program promotes:
- Voluntary training
- Testing of drinking water for lead
- Taking corrective action if problems are identified.
For USET Member Tribal Nation participants, we assist in:
- Conduct testing at Tribal schools and child-care facilities,
- Assistance in community outreach and awareness,
- Assisting health and education officials with developing lead programs within the community
- Opening conversations with community members, Tribal officials, and others regarding the general safety of local drinking water supply,
- Offer in-person and virtual drinking water awareness seminars,
- Help survey Tribal childcare facilities to prioritize the needs of our respective Member Tribal Nation community.
For USET Member Tribal Nations who are interested in participating in our Lead Testing program, please complete the Lead Testing program application.
If you have questions regarding this alert, please do not hesitate to contact the Tribal Epidemiology Center at usetepi@usetinc.org. Also reach out to Jakira Saunders, Program Manager of the Lead Testing Program at jsaunders@usetinc.org, or Ben Peyton, Senior Technical Assistance Specialist of the Lead Testing Program as bpeyton@usetinc.org.
Resources:
|
