Only a few months ago, EPA href="/article/blogs/entry/729/23">replaced plans for developing enforceable standards for lead poisoning prevention in home renovation with a plan for voluntary guidelines. EPA touted the voluntary plan as more flexible for remodeling and renovation companies, and concerned citizens decried the plan as a weakening of congressionally mandated public protections. Now EPA has taken yet another step in the wrong direction: withdrawing its plans for the voluntary standard completely. EPA now has no plans for protecting children and construction workers from lead exposure caused by remodeling and renovation activities, a principal source of lead dust exposure in U.S. children. Read the href"http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/0602-25.htm">press release by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) for more information.