October 20, 2003

The United States Conference of Mayors and DuPont through Cities United for Science Progress (CUSP) recently awarded the City of Saipan with a 2003 Lead-Safe...For Kids' Sake Best Practice Award for the Saipan's noteworthy efforts in proposing effective solutions to make their community lead-safe.

In his proposal to CUSP's Lead-Safe...For Kids' Sake Grant Program, Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela acknowledged the absence of regulations and enforcement procedures governing the importation of lead-based products from China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Philippines, India, Vietnam, Thailand and many other Asian and foreign countries. Tudela cited the example of lead-based products from the Philippines currently being imported locally and sold at a discount. To combat this problem, Tudela would like to see legislation banning the importation of lead-based products and fixtures from third world countries, and to continue lead poisoning testing for one-year-old children in partnership with the Saipan Department of Public Health.

"Education awareness is a key element to get participation in activities to 'Get the Lead Out' of our communities," noted Tudela. "This slogan could be used to promote awareness, cooperation, mobilization and compliance from businesses that are currently importing lead-based products."

To learn more about the USCM/DuPont CUSP Lead-Safe...For Kids' Sake Grant Program, contact CUSP Managing Director Ellen H. King at the Conference Headquarters at 202-861-6798 or send e-mail to eking@usmayors.org.