Calif. bill to sharply reduce lead leaching from faucets and fixtures passes key committee

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – State legislation setting a legally enforceable limit on the amount of lead leached from drinking water taps and faucets passed by the California Assembly’s Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials on Wednesday.

Congregation member Chris Holden’s (D-Pasadena) Bill 100 would create the strictest standard for faucet lead leaching – no more than 1 microgram. California would be the first state to adopt a performance standard to ensure that faucets and faucets are truly lead-free. Legislators are working with the plumbing industry to also demand consumer-friendly labeling of taps that meet the new standard.

Lead is a neurotoxin that can cause permanent brain damage, especially in children who ingest half of the lead ingested. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no safe lead exposure for children.

In 2018, a study by NSF International, an independent public health standards consultant, found that about a quarter of the 692 faucets tested leached noticeable levels of lead. These devices are sold in stores across the country.

“It is ridiculous that we are still exposed to lead from fittings that leach significant amounts into drinking water,” said Susan Little, EEC Senior Attorney for California Government Affairs. “Ending lead exposure is critical to protecting student health. This bill will ensure California schools and daycare centers can find the healthier faucets on store shelves by the end of the year. ”

No federal or state law specifically limits the amount of lead that can leak from drinking water faucets and fittings sold in California. The industry standard was recently revised to prohibit certified faucets from leaching an average of more than 1 microgram of lead as of January 1, 2024. However, it is still possible to sell faucets certified before 2024.

Holden’s bill would require all faucets sold in California to meet the lower standard beginning January 1, 2022.

“We all expect the water we drink to keep us and our children healthy and not make us sick,” said Holden, who penned an earlier version of the bill last year that the convention passed, but from the Senate Funds Committee was held. “This legislation ensures that faucets and faucets sold in California leach as little lead as possible.”

“Public dollars are spent and they buy products without a clear understanding of what they are buying,” said Holden. “It is important to ensure that it is properly labeled so that it is easy to understand. We want proper labeling sooner rather than later. “

AB 100 is jointly sponsored by EWG, CalPIRG and Clean Water Action. The bill will be heard by the Assembly’s Budget Committee in May.

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The Environmental Working Group is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to lead healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique educational tools, the EWG promotes consumer choice and civic action.

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