The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced plans to replace all of the country’s lead pipes in the next decade, driven by a cost-benefit analysis conducted by Ronnie Levin in 2023. This analysis revealed that addressing lead in American water could save over $8 billion annually in health benefits and at least $2 billion in infrastructure costs, with a benefit-to-cost ratio of 35 to 1.
Levin, an instructor in Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s department of environmental health, has dedicated her career to advocating for lead mitigation. In the 1980s, she worked at the EPA and conducted a cost-benefit analysis of lead in drinking water, which revealed that a fifth of Americans were consuming unsafe levels of lead in their water. This analysis played a significant role in the development of a 1991 rule aimed at reducing lead and copper in drinking water.
The Biden Administration’s focus on lead has also contributed to the speed of change, with Levin expressing astonishment that the EPA agreed to such an ambitious goal. She attributes this success to her deep understanding of the EPA and strategically utilizing its own data, assumptions, and estimates to make a compelling case for lead mitigation. While she is pleased with the new rule, Levin emphasizes that enacting rules alone is not sufficient. She stresses the importance of effective implementation and enforcement, pointing out that little progress will be made without these crucial components in place.
Overall, Levin’s work has played a significant role in driving policy changes aimed at reducing exposure to toxic substances like lead in drinking water. With continued advocacy and action from individuals like Levin, progress towards safer living conditions can be achieved for all Americans.
