California is tightening its rules on workplace exposure to lead for the first time in decades, making it a national leader in combatting lead poisoning.
The stricter regulations are based on evidence that workers can suffer health hazards from lead exposure below previous limits, and failing to act on this evidence has resulted in harm to workers.
The new standards aim to keep lead levels in the blood below 10 micrograms per deciliter and will go into effect in January.