According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to lead—whether through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact—can cause long-term harm, particularly in children. These effects may include impaired brain development, behavioral challenges, stunted growth, and damage to senses such as hearing and speech.

To safeguard public health, particularly for children, the United States has implemented laws over the years to regulate and prohibit the use of lead-based paint. These regulations apply to both the use of lead-based paint in new construction and the remediation of existing properties containing lead-based paint.