House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

Posted:	December 1, 2020 01:17 PM
From:	Representative MaryLouise Isaacson
To:	All House members
Subject:	Lead Levels in Playground Areas

Last session, it was noted that Philadelphia has a problem with lead in our playgrounds. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on June 18, 2019, that the development boom in Philadelphia, often on sites once occupied by lead smelters, has churned up lead dust that has contaminated more than 100 sites in the city. The lead in the soil can be ingested by children, causing developmental problems that last a lifetime. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently lowered the acceptable limit of lead in children’s bloodstreams from 10 micrograms per deciliter (µ/dL) to five µ/dL. This lower level helps to prevent the problems from manifesting. However, the limit for lead in soil has not been lowered to reflect the lower levels recommended by the CDC. Currently, the limit for lead in playground areas is set in federal regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency. This limit is currently 400 parts per million (ppm) of lead in the soil. I would like to lower that limit. My legislation will lower the acceptable limit of lead in playground soil in the Commonwealth to 200 ppm. This reduction will assist in helping families to keep their children safe and healthy. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation.
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Introduced as HB332