ABSTRACT
Lead is perhaps the most pervasive of all of the environmental hazards. It is a hazard in the air, in drinking water (see Chapter 14), in rivers and lakes, in soils, and, as discussed in this chapter, in paint. The reason that lead is so pervasive is because, like asbestos, it has qualities that made it a desirable additive in construction materials, fuels, and a host of other products. Because it is so widespread, it is regulated under almost every major federal environmental statute, including:
• Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA; Superfund)
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act • Toxic Substances Control Act • Safe Drinking Water Act • Clean Water Act • Clean Air Act
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) even has its own Lead Standard for Construction (29 CFR 1910.62) to protect workers from lead in the workplace.
