January 3, 2018 (CONCORD, NH) – In response to today’s vote in favor of SB 247 to prevent childhood lead poisoning, the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Coalition has released the following statement:
“Even when paint isn’t chipping or peeling, normal everyday use of doors, windows, and floors covered with lead paint can create toxic lead dust,” said Elliott Berry, director of the Housing Justice Project at New Hampshire Legal Assistance. “Ingestion of this dust is the most common source of lead poisoning in our children. The House today made important progress in New Hampshire’s efforts as a state to reduce the long-term harm lead causes to our children.”
“Childhood lead poisoning is a problem of statewide concern, affecting New Hampshire kids in rural and urban communities alike, and across all demographics, said Tom Irwin, director of the New Hampshire office of the Conservation Law Foundation. “But it’s a problem that disproportionately affects low-income families and some of our most vulnerable populations, and by impeding the ability of children to learn, it’s creating yet another barrier for families trying to break the cycle of poverty. Today, the House took an important step towards better protecting New Hampshire’s children and families.”
“We applaud the New Hampshire House of Representatives for understanding the important role we all play in protecting our children from the dangers of lead poisoning,” said Jake Berry, Vice President of Policy at New Futures. “Lead poisoning has a lifelong, detrimental impact on the health and wellness of New Hampshire’s children. SB 247 takes important steps in updating New Hampshire’s lead law and safeguarding our children. We hope the Senate will follow suit and pass this important bill without delay.”
ABOUT NEW FUTURES
New Futures is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that advocates, educates and collaborates to improve the health and wellness of all New Hampshire residents through policy change.
ABOUT THE CONSERVATION LAW FOUNDATION
Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) protects New England’s environment for the benefit of all people. CLF uses the law, science and the market to create solutions that preserve our natural resources, build healthy communities, and sustain a vibrant economy.
ABOUT NEW HAMPSHIRE LEGAL ASSISTANCE
New Hampshire Legal Assistance is a state-wide non-profit law firm representing -income and elderly New Hampshire residents who cannot afford a lawyer. NHLA maintains offices in Berlin, Claremont, Concord, Manchester and Portsmouth.
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