Thread by @TheWheltonGroup

NEW: #Indiana considering whether to legalize 14.4 ppb #lead in drinking water for #infants and #toddlers with House Bill 1045.

Bill here: iga.in.gov/legislative/20…

My perspective provided below. There's still time to fix a bad bill and protect Indiana's children.
1/

2/ The current bill requires #preschool and #childcare facilities to conduct drinking water testing for lead. If lead "equals or exceeds 15 parts per billion" (ppb), they must reduce the lead levels.

Testing = Good

15 ppb lead = Bad

3/ What do the experts say?
Well, the @AmerAcadPeds (doctors dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults says lead no greater than 1 ppb. (These are doctors who know #children's health)

drinkingwateralliance.org/single-post/20…

4/ What if we ignored Pediatricians?

The .@US_FDA requires bottled water contain no greater than 5 ppb lead.

So #bottled water at preschool and child care facilities could be safer than tap water? ..... Yup. fda.gov/consumers/cons…

5/ Okay. So where did 15 ppb lead come from?

IN officials told me the USEPA says 15 ppb is safe for children.

This is wrong. USEPA's own 2017 memo makes clear states are claiming 15 ppb lead is safe when USEPA never said that. engineering.purdue.edu/PlumbingSafety…

6/ Bottom Line: Indiana legislators are now considering legalizing lead in drinking water for the most vulnerable population, #infants and #toddlers

15 times what's is recommended by #pediatricians
3 times greater than bottled water

#MedTwitter

7/ What should be done? Well.. we're not there yet. #Copper, found at high levels (2.7 mg/L+) in Indiana buildings, was not addressed.

1.3 mg/L is the level used to protect against immediate health impacts.

Here's a recent IN school study...more coming doi.org/10.1039/D0EW00…

8/ So here's what to do:

1. Support lead and copper testing of all daycare and childcare facilities.

2. Require action when >5 ppb lead or >1.3 mg/L copper is found in drinking water.

3. Require test results be given to the parents and guardians within 24 hours.

(cont)...

9/

4. Require the removal and replacement of problematic plumbing that's causing high lead or copper.

5. Require follow-up testing to confirm the problem is gone.

10/end

By fixing a House Bill 1045, #Indiana's leaders can pass legislation designed to protect children's health.

I can't imagine lawmakers want to legalize leaded water for children or copper contaminated water.

Infants and toddlers must be protected.

So we must speak up.

QUESTION CAME UP: Who do I call?

Indiana residents should contact their State Representatives & State Senators. Call them, them what you want, and tell your other Indiana friends and family members to as well.

Find your Indiana elected officials here: iga.in.gov/legislative/fi…