Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, and Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) Tuesday circulated a memo to colleagues asking them to co-sponsor legislation providing for universal testing of children for lead exposure.
The Senators said, “[The] effects of lead poisoning are irreversible and severe, including neurological and developmental disabilities. No level of lead is safe for children, and symptoms may not present themselves until it is too late.
“Based on the Department of Health’s most recent Childhood Lead Surveillance Annual Report, only 28 percent of Pennsylvania children under the age of two were screened for blood lead levels in 2015.
“However, testimony presented at a recent public hearing of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee informed us that ALL children may be at risk—based on exposure in their homes or relatives’ homes, in care and educational facilities, or in playgrounds, among other areas.
“Recent discussions and research demonstrate that universal lead testing is a practical and effective protective measure to reduce instances of lead poisoning. Accordingly, our legislation seeks to ensure that all children at ages one and two, as well as pregnant women, are tested.
“Similar legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives as House Bill 666 (Cruz-D-Philadelphia).
“Ten other states and Washington D.C. have already implemented similar laws, and it is important that we act to do the same. We hope you will join us in co-sponsoring this measure.”
Senate Lead Task Force
In June the Senate passed Senate Resolution 33 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) creating a bipartisan task force to investigate the scope of Pennsylvania’s lead exposure problem.
In October, the task force members were named and the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a hearing in Luzerne County on the issue.
Gov. Wolf has also called for the universal testing of blood-lead levels in children.
Gov. Wolf has also called for the universal testing of blood-lead levels in children.
For more information on lead exposure, intervention and education, visit the Department of Health’s Lead Poisoning webpage. For more information on lead in drinking water, visit DEP’s Lead In Drinking Water webpage.
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