Gov. Tom Corbett has signed Senate Bill 1254  introduced by Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) that will enhance the quality and safety of drinking water by significantly lowering the lead content in pipes and other plumbing products.

Under the measure (Act 55 of 2014), the maximum allowable lead content in plumbing products is reduced from 8 percent to 0.25 percent. The new law also makes Pennsylvania’s lead content standard consistent with a new federal law that took effect in January.

“Continually striving to improve the quality of our drinking water supply is essential to the public health mission of Pennsylvania,” said Sen. Yudichak, who serves as Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to high levels of lead in drinking water can result in delays in physical and mental development, along with attention span problems and learning abilities in children. In adults, water tainted by lead can cause increases in blood pressure and kidney problems.

A summary and House Fiscal Note are available.

NewsClip: Corbett Signs Yudichak’s Lead Legislation Into Law

6/16/2014