EPA Releases List of 100 Actions Taken Since January 2025 to Protect Children's Health
Washington — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on October 15 released a list of 100 actions the agency has taken since January 20, 2025, to protect children's health, spanning reductions in lead and PFAS exposure, stronger chemical and pesticide safety, improved air quality and state and local partnerships, in honor of Children's Health Month in October.
Topping the list is lead in drinking water: EPA has provided $2.9 billion in funding for states to reduce lead in drinking water through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund; worked with more than 100 drinking water systems through the Get the Lead Out technical assistance initiative to guide lead service line removal; and released tools to help states and water systems prepare for new Lead and Copper Rule requirements on lead sampling in schools and childcare facilities. The agency also released Lead and Children's Health and Asthma & Children's Health StoryMaps and updated its America's Children and the Environment data tool.
On PFAS, the list says EPA has advanced a comprehensive PFAS strategy, announcing nearly $1 billion in new funding to states to address PFAS in drinking water, and launched the PFAS OUT initiative to proactively work with communities and water systems to reduce exposure to PFOA and PFOS. It also cites adding an additional PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory reporting list and publishing draft guidance on reducing risks from PFOA and PFOS in biosolids.
"Under President Trump's leadership, EPA is focused on delivering clean air, land, and water for every American child," said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. "This doesn't just mean reducing lead exposure or more quickly cleaning up toxic sites, it also involves giving families peace of mind by equipping them with the knowledge and tools they need to keep their kids safe."
For Children's Health Month 2026, EPA says its educational efforts revolve around three priorities: raise awareness of the environmental risks that can affect children's health; act early to reduce hazards in the places children live, learn and play; and protect and prevent, supporting healthy environments for every child, every day. The month also includes National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. EPA urges families, schools and communities to use its resources to reduce children's exposures.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：水务实验室人员检测水样（资料图）。公共领域，来源：Wikimedia Commons
