COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING 

LEAD PAINT

WHEREAS, many houses and apartments built before 1978 have paint that contains lead which can pose serious health hazards if not managed properly; and

WHEREAS, lead is even more dangerous to children than adults, causing brain damage, behavior and learning problems, slowed growth, and hearing problems; and

WHEREAS, one out of every eleven children in the United States has dangerous levels of lead in the bloodstream; and

WHEREAS, virtually no states have lead laws requiring action be taken when lead levels are found to be dangerously high; and

BE IT RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors strongly supports the efforts of Mrs. Gore in promoting greater awareness about the risks associated with lead paint; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors strongly encourages incentives be developed to encourage private property owners to ameliorate lead paint problems; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors encourages states to adopt lead laws which require property owners to immediately address the needs of children and families at risk from lead paint; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors urges more funding be made available at the state and federal levels for lead paint abatement; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors requests the federal government conduct research, focus greater attention and more action on all home-based environmental risks, including asthma, a problem that is even more widespread, causing more hospitalizations, and even greater economic consequences than lead paint.