President Joe Biden highlighted his administration’s ambitious goal to replace all toxic lead pipes in American homes while speaking at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) National Convention in Las Vegas.
Biden, delivering the keynote speech at the event, discussed various topics including the economy, with a special emphasis on assisting Black families in home purchases, debt reduction, and ensuring access to clean water.
Recent data from the EPA in 2023 revealed that Florida leads the nation with 1.16 million lead service lines, as reported by U.S. News. Other states with a significant number of lead lines include Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and New York. A survey by Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in 2021 showed that around 12.8 million service lines still contain lead, affecting roughly 22 million individuals.
“We’re taking on the task of replacing every harmful lead pipe in every American home, a costly but crucial endeavor to ensure that every child can safely consume clean water without the fear of brain damage,” stated Biden, receiving some applause.
Biden continues to celebrate this initiative, following the announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of an additional $3 billion from his Investing in America initiative to assist states and territories in the identification and replacement of lead service lines, aiming to mitigate lead exposure through water sources.
“Lead exposure can lead to severe health repercussions, including irreversible damage to children’s brain development,” as per the EPA announcement. “President Biden is committed to eliminating every lead pipe in the nation to protect children and families.”
The EPA notes that lead exposure disproportionately affects people of color and low-income families. The EPA’s Lead Service Line Replacement Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program plans to replace up to 1.7 million lead pipes nationwide.
“The evidence is clear that no amount of lead exposure is safe, and the primary source of harmful exposure through drinking water is lead pipes,” commented EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “President Biden recognizes the urgency of identifying and removing lead pipes swiftly and has secured significant resources to expedite the permanent removal of hazardous lead pipes.”
Lead poses a significant risk, particularly to children living in homes built before 1978 or undergoing renovations, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Lead exposure can also occur through some pottery, hobby equipment, or cosmetics.