The battle against lead contamination and lead poisoning in this country has covered the last 30 years. Outlined below are some of the key programs, laws and regulations that have been enacted. Some are linked to web pages where more detail is available.

Lead In Soil Soil around private homes built before 1940 has significantly higher levels of lead than homes built between 1960 and 1979.

• 1972 - A Lead Poisoning Control Law (Ordinance 56091) was enacted by the St. Louis Board of Aldermen. See Chapter 11.22 (Lead Poisoning) in the St. Louis City Revised Code.

• 1978 - The National Consumer Products Safety Commission lowered the amount of lead allowed in paint for consumer use to 0.06 percent. This did not apply to commercial and non-residential paints.

• 1990 - Alliance to End Childhood Lead Poisoning was formed to promote national legislation dealing with prevention efforts, help shape government regulations, and convince state governments to adopt model state statutes.

• 1992 - Title X passed the Congress, encouraging a new focus on lead hazards in housing, clarifying government agency roles and responsibilities, establishing quality controls and grant programs to protect citizens, and "engaging market forces to trigger private section action."

• 1992 - National Center for Lead Safe Housing was created in order to conduct research into more effective lead safety measures.

• 1998-99 - Ordinances 64357 and 64788 were passed by the St. Louis Board of Aldermen authorizing the Directors of Health and Hospital, and CDA to accept and carry out a $2.9 million grant from HUD to address hazardous lead conditions in 400 dwellings.

• 1999 - The St. Louis Health Department began analyzing blood tests for lead content.

• 1999 - Metro-East Lead Collaborative Partnership was formed.

• 1999 - East St. Louis initiated its first lead safety program.