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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 6, 2021 03:32 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative MaryLouise Isaacson |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act |
| Lead poisoning in children is a very real public health crisis in communities across our Commonwealth. The most common sources of lead poisoning in children are lead-based paint that over time chips and crumbles into dust, and lead-contaminated dust in older buildings. Contaminated soil, water and air are also sources. Pennsylvania ranks fifth in the nation for the number of housing units built before 1950, meaning a significant number of houses and apartments in the Commonwealth were likely constructed with lead paint. This puts many children in Pennsylvania at risk for lead exposure and potential long-lasting damage to their health. Unfortunately, in 2018, only 19 percent of children within our Commonwealth under the age of six were tested for lead, according to the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Report issued by the Department of Health. Over 6,500 children had at least one elevated blood lead test result. Any level of lead exposure can cause great harm to young children; low levels of exposure may make learning difficult, harm hearing and delay development, while higher levels of exposure can cause convulsions, coma, and even death. It is for these reasons that I am planning on re-introducing the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act, which would allow parents to have a meaningful conversation with their child’s healthcare provider about the significant risks associated with lead exposure in children and the benefits of testing for elevated blood lead levels. Please join me in co-sponsoring this critical legislation in an effort to protect our children against lead poisoning and its harmful effects. |
Introduced as HB969