In what year did the federal government ban lead-based paint from housing?

In what year did the federal government ban lead-based paint from housing?

• A. 1968
• B. 1988
• C. 1998
• D. 1978

Answer: (D)

Lead exposure from paint has been a major health concern, especially for children. The federal government addressed this by banning the sale and use of lead-based paint for residential housing in 1978. This action, taken by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, marked the cutoff after which new lead-based paint could not be marketed for homes. The other years don’t fit the regulation timeline: 1968 comes well before the ban, while 1988 and 1998 are after the actual ban and therefore incorrect. Knowing the 1978 ban helps explain why homes built before that year are more likely to have lead paint hazards and why later rules focus on disclosure and lead hazard reduction in older housing.

Lead exposure from paint has been a major health concern, especially for children. The federal government addressed this by banning the sale and use of lead-based paint for residential housing in 1978. This action, taken by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, marked the cutoff after which new lead-based paint could not be marketed for homes. The other years don’t fit the regulation timeline: 1968 comes well before the ban, while 1988 and 1998 are after the actual ban and therefore incorrect. Knowing the 1978 ban helps explain why homes built before that year are more likely to have lead paint hazards and why later rules focus on disclosure and lead hazard reduction in older housing.