Read more about Lead Hazards in Delaware in Sarah Bucic's News Journal Op-Eds from April, The lead exemption loophole that DNREC must fix and September Lead paint sandblasting on water towers remains an environmental hazard.
In this petition, citizens are urging Secretary Garvin to follow through with promised regulatory reform from his October response ~ DNREC chief: We're taking action on lead paint sandblasting
First, I thank Sarah Bucic, RN, for her vigilance in advocating for the environment and public health and safety from potential toxic lead contamination as a result of dry abrasive blasting of lead-based paint from water towers.
After documenting that lead paint chips fell near her home, Ms. Bucic brought the issue to my attention when I became DNREC secretary earlier this year and to the public’s attention in a recent News Journal “Delaware Voice” op-ed.
Lead is a neurotoxin, which means exposure to high levels of it, either through inhalation or ingestion, can cause damage to the brain and kidneys. As nurse Bucic reminds us, lead exposure for children is of particular concern, since even at lower levels of exposure, lead can permanently affect a child’s mental and physical growth.
Historically, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s regulations exempted dry abrasive blasting and painting of water towers.
But this past spring, the department took steps to clarify our expectation for containment of lead during dry abrasive blasting by water tank owners. We moved to reach agreement with the tank owners on steps that they would take immediately on a voluntary basis.
DNREC developed and vetted with the industry an approach of “principles and commitments” to properly manage blasting activities to ensure no lead or other materials would enter the environment – and that, should a release occur, a prepared response plan would be implemented. The approach included an expectation for a public notification to nearby residents 30 days prior to the activity.
More recently, DNREC has embarked on developing a general permit spearheaded by the Division of Air Quality to include the measures identified in the “principles and commitments” as well as further strengthening the public participation process and DNREC oversight. The general permit will provide clear direction on what is required if you are engaged in dry abrasive blasting of water towers.
The department intends to begin developing the permit process this month and to revise the regulation that currently provides an exemption for dry-abrasive blasting activities by mid-2018. DNREC considers these actions to be appropriate and responsible, given what has long been known about the dangers of lead in the environment and the harm it can cause.
The department also recognizes there are still many challenges as we continue to protect our public health and our environment, and we know that it will take all of our collective efforts to meet those challenges.
The largest source of potential lead exposure is in homes constructed before 1978. To learn more about lead abatement strategies, please visit www.LeadSafeDelaware.org or call the Public Health Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at (302) 744-4546, ext. 4.
Shawn M. Garvin is secretary of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
And read Green Delaware’s action alert on the sandblasting petition ~ Sign on to anti-lead-poisoning petition/letter
Back to lead poisoning. There is no safe level of lead exposure. It dumbs us down..........In September we urged support for an effort lead by Sarah Bucic, calling on the Delaware DNREC to establish stronger regulations. See Protect Delawareans from lead poisoning and her op-ed in the Wilmington News Journal.
No comments:
Post a Comment