STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM LEAD PAINT POISONING

May 12, 2003

MAY 12, 2003

CHARLES DOW, DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS, 207-626-8577

Attorney General Steven Rowe today joined the Attorneys General from 49 other states and jurisdictions in announcing an agreement aimed at educating and warning consumers and families about the risk of lead paint exposure during repainting and other home renovation work.  

The agreement between the state Attorneys General and the National Paint and Coating Association (NPCA), requires paint manufacturers to affix warning labels on paint cans and provide consumer education and training, alerting consumers to the hazards of lead paint exposure and how to avoid it.

The warning will read, in part:  “WARNING! If you scrape, sand, or remove old paint, you may release lead dust.  LEAD IS TOXIC.  EXPOSURE TO LEAD DUST CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ILLNESS, SUCH AS BRAIN DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN.  PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD ALSO AVOID EXPOSURE...."

Attorney General Rowe said, “This agreement is especially important to Maine, where we have older housing stock, on average, than most of the nation.  The required labeling and education should help to protect Maine children from the dangerous effects of lead paint exposure.”

While lead paint has not been manufactured or sold since 1978, it still presents a serious health risk to people are exposed to dust or occupy homes during renovations.  Children are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning.

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