On September 17, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved the Pregnant Women and Children from Dangerous Lead Exposures Act (S. 3495).
According to a statement by the bill’s sponsor, Chair Barbara Boxer (D-CA), the bill would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use “the best available science” to set a new standard that protects pregnant women and children from effects of lead, which studies have shown to harm reproductive and nervous systems and to be especially dangerous for infants and young children.
During consideration of the bill, the committee also approved an amendment by Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) to strengthen protections for the clean-up of lead paint.
Further details will be forthcoming when the text of the bill becomes available.
