Whereas the heavy metal lead is a common element found in the Earth’s crust and is a known toxin; Whereas children are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure due to lead’s harmful effects on the brain and nervous system development; Whereas, according to the World Health Organization, people can be exposed to lead through the inhalation of lead particles produced from the burning of leaded materials, including during recycling and smelting; Whereas exposure to lead also occurs through the ingestion of dust, paint flakes, water, and food contaminated with lead; Whereas, over time, significant exposure to lead and the accumulation of lead in the body can result in lead poisoning, a severe, life-threatening condition that requires medical attention; Whereas, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), approximately 1 in 3 children, up to approximately 800,000,000 globally, have blood lead levels at or above the threshold for intervention in a child’s environment recommended by the World Health Organization; Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children from low-income families are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure; Whereas the World Health Organization has determined that there is no level of exposure to lead that is known to be without harmful effects; Whereas lead exposure is linked to toxicity in every organ system, with young children being especially susceptible; Whereas, compared to adults, children absorb 4 to 5 times more ingested lead; Whereas high levels of lead among children can cause comas, convulsions, and even death through attacks on the central nervous system and the brain; Whereas lead exposure can cause serious and irreversible neurological damage and is linked, among children, to negative effects on brain development, lower intelligence quotient (IQ) levels, increased antisocial behavior, as well as decreased cognitive function and abilities to learn