Lead exposure at any level is unsafe for children. Recent reports show that 91% of Pennsylvania school districts tested positive for lead, with 98% of Philadelphia schools testing positive for lead in one or more outlets. Lead poisoning occurs too often in our Commonwealth and is especially harmful to children. The adverse effects on those exposed to lead under the age of 18 are well documented, and include:
 

• Brain and nervous system damage
• Physical growth delays
• Learning and behavior problems
• Speech and hearing impairment

 
Lead exposure can also lead to lower IQ and a higher risk of criminal behavior. These grave problems are entirely preventable, and we should expand upon the positive start established in Act 39 of 2018, which encouraged schools to test for lead and provide a report to the Department of Education if findings were dangerous.
 
My legislation will address these severe concerns and make Pennsylvania a national leader in the fight against lead in school drinking water. This bill requires old drinking fountains to be replaced with lead-filtering water stations by 2026 and establishes funding to help school districts achieve this essential— and easily attainable—goal. We are working closely with stakeholders to explore how we can most effectively and responsibly implement this legislation's vision of providing clean, safe water for our students in rural, suburban, and urban schools across our Commonwealth.
 
Please consider co-sponsoring this critical legislation to ensure that our children have clean, safe drinking water at school.
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 0296: P.L.30, No.14