Tammy Duckworth Intros Measure Aimed at Getting Lead Out of Public Housing

Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) this week introduced bipartisan legislation to protect families living in assisted housing from lead found in drinking water. More than 4 million children in the U.S. are living in environments with lead-based paint, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lead exposure can have serious consequences for the health of children. At high levels of exposure, lead attacks the brain and central nervous system to cause coma, convulsions, and even death. Duckworth was joined by Senator Todd Young (R-IN) and Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI), who represents Flint, in introducing the bicameral legislation. The Get the Lead Out of Assisted Housing Act would help protect families from lead exposure by requiring HUD to inspect for lead service lines, create a grant program to address lead contamination, and allow a cross-check for lead in water when remediating a home for lead found in paint. “It’s unacceptable that families who are trying to get ahead can get sick by drinking water in their own homes because the requirements to check for lead in water aren’t in place to protect them,” Duckworth said. “The threat of lead in drinking water is a national public health crisis and we have to do more to stop it. I will keep working to ensure every family in America – no matter where they live – has access to clean and safe drinking water.” Earlier this year HUD announced it is awarding $18 million to 20 public housing agencies across the country in an effort to identify and eliminate lead-based paint hazards in public housing. More here.

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