Evaluating local lead laws

Local and state governments took initial steps to reduce lead paint in the US prior to 1970. However, it was federal efforts in the 1970's, particularly the ban on lead in residential paint and removing lead from gasoline, that brought about drastic reductions in children's blood lead levels. Nevertheless, pockets of high rates of childhood lead poisoning remain, chiefly in low-income and minority communities living in pre-1978 housing. Because local governments have an important role in housing systems, local policies may be crucial to addressing lead as a long-term children's environmental health issue. Recently, a number of local governments have initiated local policies to protect children from lead in housing. The result has been the local adoption of a variety of differing types of legal measures under the structures of the differing state laws, but thus far lacking an analysis of their impact on reducing the number of cases of lead poisoning in children. Such analysis is timely and critical, as many additional localities are considering passing local lead laws. We will analyze these recent experiences through two approaches. First, we will compare and contrast the legal approaches taken in different localities with recent lead laws. Second, we will evaluate the effectiveness – in terms of implementing, housing environment impacts and health outcomes of Rochester, New York's lead law, one of the most comprehensive and earliest adopted of the new wave of local lead laws. In so doing, we will articulate the importance of and a framework for evaluation of local policies' impacts on public health.