Lead Paint's Legacy

Lead paint was banned from American homes in 1978 but the state still sees an average of about 250 cases of lead poisoning each year. A task force convened by Governor John Lynch recommends tightening the state law and a bill to implement some of those recommendations will come before lawmakers this session.

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This story was named 2007 Best Series by the New Hampshire Associated Press Broadcasters Association.


A Statewide Problem
NHPR Stories
Current Lead Poisoning Cases and Outstanding Orders of Lead Hazard Reduction

Map outlining the spread of lead poisoning and lead hazard cases across New Hampshire. (Courtesy Department of Health and Human Services) See a full-size version of the map
Apartment Building Wall Refugees Hit Hardest By Lead Poisonings

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African refugees are a tiny fraction of the Manchester population, but they account for a full third of the lead poisoning cases in the city.


Apartment Building Wall Landlords Worry About Cost of Toughening Lead Laws

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A state task force is proposing tougher new standards on lead abatement for landlords. But property owners worry about the costs of toughening state law.


Apartment Building Wall Lead Poisoning at the Statehouse: A Window on Democratic Leadership

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The future of a lead paint bill currently before the legislature could be a telling example of how the new majority Democrats use their power.


Apartment Building Wall The Exchange: The Lowdown on Lead Paint

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We examine the causes, costs and consequences of lead paint, and get stories from listeners.


Lead paint ad, 1929 Suing the Paint Companies

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A conversation with a lawyer who successfully sued several companies that sold lead-based paint in Rhode Island.


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Your Comments
If 250 children in New Hampshire were poisoned by anything other than lead every year there would be a huge outcry. Is it because this is an issue that excessively impacts the poor and people of color?" more...

"Has no one dealt with the NH-DHHS Lead Safe Renovator program? This is offered for both owners and contractors..." more...

"This "school of unintended consequences" could shut down the housing market in the state." more...

"Many cities and one state, Rhode Island, have sued the lead paint producers to help recover the costs of dealing with this public health tragedy. Many more cities and states should do so..." more...

"It's not true that the only choice we have is to impose a cost of thousands of dollars on landlords or do nothing..." more...