Knowing the harm lead-based paint can cause children, pregnant women and their fetuses, Washington banned its sale and use nearly 30 years ago.

Yet Washington also has long known how children, pregnant women, their fetuses and others can be harmed when the remodeling of houses kicks long-ago-applied lead-based paint into the air. Outrageous as it is, Washington has done little to remedy that problem.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finally says it's ready to make some headway: It plans to announce rules later this year that likely will require contractors working on pre-1978 homes to get specified training and certification in lead-safe work practices. This is overdue.

Lead-based paint can damage children's nervous systems, slowing their growth and leading to behavior and learning problems. Little was done to lessen the threat, though, because of officials too timid to stand up to the building industry.

Adding costs to renovating homes could total $500 million a year, they said.

But the savings to kids' health, however, could top $5 billion.

Some in Washington advocate that training and certification for lead-safe work practices be voluntary. That would slow needed health benefits.