EPA and HHS Encourage States to Utilize Federal Resources for Lead Detection and Mitigation in Early Care and Education Settings

EPA and HHS issued a joint letter to governors today to encourage state and local governments to use federal funding to take actions to reduce and remove lead in drinking water in early care and education settings, like elementary schools and daycare facilities. Funding for this initiative can come from both the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), among other federal resources. EPA and HHS express in their letter that it is especially critical to make improvements to places where children spend significant time such as child care centers, family child care homes, preschools, and Head Start programs. The BIL dedicated $15 billion to removing lead from drinking water, including schools and early child care settings, and many states have already taken action to address lead in schools through EPA’s WIIN Grant funding. In addition, states provide technical assistance and resources to meet lead testing and remediation requirements, including use of the EPA 3Ts (Training, Testing, and Taking Action) voluntary program to help schools and child care facilities make progress on reducing lead in drinking water. EPA and HHS are encouraging states to take additional administrative measures by establishing or strengthening licensing and monitoring requirements or improving blood lead screening programs.

Learn more by visiting EPA WIIN Grant: Voluntary School and Child Care Lead Testing and Reduction Grant Program and HHS Strategy Resources to Support Access to Safe and Healthy Early Care and Education Facilities.