NRDC: The Bush Record - Bush budget cuts lead poisoning prevention funding

NRDC: The Bush Record - Bush budget cuts lead poisoning prevention funding:

The Bush administration's proposed 2005 budget slashes federal funding to prevent lead poisoning by $35 million. The national lead prevention program is aimed at providing expert evaluations and repairs for homes in an effort to prevent young children from being exposed to lead-tainted paint particles, dust or soil. The toxic metal can cause permanent brain damage and learning disabilities. Although cases of lead poisoning in children under the age of six have sharply declined in the past decade, nearly 435,000 children suffered from lead poisoning in 2000. That year experts determined that approximately 38 million homes contained poisonous lead paint. The whopping 20 percent funding reduction called for by President Bush could leave some 40,000 homes contaminated with lead next year.

"No excuses, the Bush administration should get the lead out," said NRDC scientist Jennifer Sass

yeah, would be funny, if it wasn't scary.....