Statement: Gov. Newsom signs bill to create nation’s most stringent lead leaching limit for faucets

New law will reduce our exposure to lead in drinking water

CALPIRG

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Californians will soon have less lead in their drinking water, which should cut down on a litany of health problems caused by the toxic heavy metal. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 100 into law Friday evening. The new law bans the manufacture and sale in California of water faucets and fixtures that leach more than 1 microgram of lead into the water running through them.. 

Lead is especially dangerous for children — it impairs how they learn, grow and behave. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, no level of lead exposure is safe for children.

Despite that, until now, there has been inadequate regulation of “endpoint devices” such as faucets. AB 100 will assure Californians that any new water fixtures or faucets they buy meet the nation’s highest standard and dispense as little lead as possible. 

In response, Jenn Engstrom, CALPIRG’s state director, released the following statement:

“Public health agencies are unanimous: there is no safe level of lead for our children, so faucets that leach lead into our drinking water have no place in California — in homes, schools or anywhere else a thirsty child wants a drink. Thanks to Governor Newsom and Assemblymember Chris Holden, parents can rest assured that drinking faucets and fixtures sold in our state will be practically lead-free.”