[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 113 (Thursday, July 29, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6526-S6527]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SPECTER (for himself and Mr. Casey):
  S. 3670. A bill to establish standards limiting the amounts of 
arsenic and lead contained in glass beads used in pavement markings; to 
the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I seek recognition to introduce the Safe 
Highway Markings Act of 2010, a bill that would establish minimum 
standards limiting the amounts of arsenic and

[[Page S6527]]

lead contained in glass beads for reflective pavement markings. This 
bill will help protect surface and ground water from contamination and 
protect the health and safety of highway workers.
  Each year, approximately 500 million pounds of glass beads are 
applied to create reflective markings on roads in the United States. 
The source materials for the manufacturing of these glass beads can 
vary widely. While most engineered glass beads use environmentally-
friendly materials such as recycled flat glass, some of the glass beads 
contain arsenic, lead and other heavy metals. As the glass degrades 
from the pounding of traffic, snow plows, trucks and weather, toxic 
materials can leach out of the glass and mix into the ground and 
surface water. In addition, workers who apply the glass beads with high 
concentrations of heavy metals are at risk for exposure.
  In response to environmental and health issues, several states have 
adopted regulations that require the use of environmentally-friendly, 
non-toxic glass materials. In particular, California, Iowa, Maine, New 
Jersey, Vermont, Washington and Wyoming have established procurement 
standards for the quality of glass beads used in highways markings in 
their States. Several other States are currently reviewing proposals. 
Additionally, the European Union, China, Australia, and several 
Canadian provinces have also set standards limiting heavy metal 
concentration.
  It makes no sense to continue this piecemeal approach; it is time for 
a national standard. This legislation establishes a minimum standard 
for engineered glass beads used in reflective markings. The legislation 
ensures that States receiving Federal funds adhere to the Environmental 
Protection Agency's methods and standards for engineered glass beads, 
specifically that the beads may contain no more than 200 parts per 
million of arsenic.
  Similar legislation has been introduced in the House and I look 
forward to advancing this important legislation in the Senate. As such, 
I urge my colleagues to support this bill that will help safeguard the 
lives of highway workers and help keep public roads free of high levels 
of arsenic and lead.
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