The Maryland House of
Representatives recently introduced HB 357, Business Occupations and
Professions - Plumbers - Lead-Free Materials, which requires that materials
used in the installation or repair of plumbing intended to dispense water for
human consumption be lead-free.
Lead-freeis defined in the bill as containing not more than a weighted average lead
content of 0.25 percent for the wetted surfaces of pipe, pipefittings, plumbing
fittings or fixtures; 0.2 percent lead for solder and flux; 4 percent lead by
dry weight for plumbing fittings and fixtures; and 8 percent lead by dry weight
for pipe and pipefittings.
The bill prohibits the sale of
pipe and other plumbing supplies if they are not lead-free and are intended for
use with water for human consumption. Sale of solder or flux that is not
lead-free is permitted if it carries a label indicating that it is not for use
with water intended for human consumption.
The Maryland bill is similar to
lead-free plumbing legislation enactedlast year in California. A hearing on the bill is scheduled today.
If enacted, the legislation would be
effective Jan. 1, 2011.
Source:www.WeAreLeadFree.net
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