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This article informs that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is initiating the Drinking Water Lead Reduction Plan to strengthen, update, and clarify existing requirements for water utilities and slates to test for and reduce lead in drinking water. In 1991, to reduce lead in drinking water, U.S. EPA issued the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR). The LCR requires water utilities to reduce lead contamination by controlling the corrosiveness of water, and, as needed, replace lead service lines used to carry water from the street to the home.

This article presents news related to environmental health. The National Environmental Services Center provides information about drinking water, wastewater, environmental training, and solid waste management in communities serving fewer than 10,000 individuals. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pesticides Program works on a wide range of pesticide issues and topics, evaluating potential new pesticides and uses, providing for special local needs and emergency situations, reviewing the safety of older pesticides, registering pesticide-producing establishments, and enforcing pesticide requirements. Its Web site features information on mosquito control and West Nile virus, human health and environmental assessments, the control of pests, regulating pesticides, compliance and enforcement, grants and partnerships, and science and policy. The second site listed above is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Pesticide Data Program, a national pesticide residue database program.