Posted: | January 13, 2021 11:45 AM |
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From: | Senator Patrick J. Stefano |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Clarifying the Plumbing System Lead Ban |
In the near future, I plan to reintroduce legislation based on recommendation from the Joint State Government Commission’s report Lead Exposure Risks and Responses in Pennsylvania providing for the creation, and distribution, of educational materials. This legislation would put educational material on lead exposure and its risks into the hands of those that most need them. We know that lead is a highly toxic metal and that, according to the CDC, there is no safe level of lead in the human bloodstream. Additionally, the report states that, “exposure to lead-based paint is the primary cause of lead poisoning and a much wider-spread area of risk than public drinking water systems.” I feel that educational awareness is the key to prevent unnecessary exposures to lead. Therefore, specifically, my legislation would direct the Department of Education to develop educational material to be provided to the parent or guardian of newborns by their caregivers, as well as to the consumers at retail outlets that sell plumbing, paint, or other supplies for the removal of paint. Consumer education is key in preventing lead exposure, and you cannot take steps to prevent lead poisoning if you are unaware of those risks. This legislation was formerly Senate Bill 892 from last session and was co-sponsored by Senators Browne, Martin, Fontana, Mastriano, Yudichak, Baker, and Yaw. I hope that you will join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact Jake Gery in my office at jgery@pasen.gov. |