[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 139 (Thursday, October 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      REGARDING THE INTRODUCTION OF LEAD LABELING ACT LEGISLATION

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                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 26, 2005

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. I rise today to introduce an important piece 
of legislation designed to strengthen our existing laws regarding lead 
in consumer products.
  Currently, we have laws that pertain to lead-containing paint and its 
many applications. The laws are explicit and focus mainly on the paint 
used in public housing around the United States. In the last three 
decades we have seen the rate of lead poisoning plummet and than 
plateau. These laws, though effective, are specific only to paint. We 
must do more to protect our consumers.
  That is why I am introducing the Lead Labeling Act of 2005 today, to 
direct the Consumer Products Safety Commission to establish regulations 
to require the labeling of dishware products sold in the United States 
that may contain hazardous amount of lead within them. Labeling these 
products will help consumers identify products that are potentially 
hazardous to their children through a simple labeling process.
  Mr. Speaker, there are many products imported every year and these 
imports are a vital part of our economy, but because they are 
manufactured outside the United States, they are not subject to the 
same stringent regulations that our products must meet. This is a 
concern, because many of the products that we eat out of, drink out of, 
and cook with are made of materials that contain levels of lead that we 
do not normally ingest. These products can release these leads into our 
foods and our water and the affects can be very damaging, especially to 
the development of our children.
  According to the National Institute of Health, lead, even in very low 
levels, can have damaging effects on our children. The Center for 
Disease Control states that approximately 310,000 U.S. children aged 1-
5 years have blood lead levels greater than the CDC recommended level 
of 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood. Also, lead can affect 
every system in our bodies. It has been linked to learning 
disabilities, behavioral problems, and, when our bodies are exposed to 
very high levels, lead causes seizures, coma, and even death.
  Lead in our products is a concern in our households. Labeling 
products containing lead will help ease these concerns and allow 
consumers to make more informed decisions. I urge my colleagues in the 
House to support this legislation for the health of American consumers.

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