Source: Environmental Health Sciences

Excerpt:

Yesterday Washington state Governor Jay Inslee signed the Lead in Cookware Act, the first bill in the U.S. to ban toxic lead in pots and pans and other cookware. 

The bill bans any manufacturing or sales of cookware or related components that contain more than 5 parts per million (ppm) of lead by 2026. Scientists agree there is no safe level of lead exposure. Children are especially vulnerable and lead is linked to developmental problems, behavior issues, lower IQs, learning problems, high blood pressure and kidney damage.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Gerry Pollet (D-46), came on the heels of testing by the King County Hazardous Waste Management Program in 2022 to 2023 that found high levels of lead in pots, pans and pressure cookers. Some products contained more than 1,600 ppm of lead.

Read more: Washington state will become first state to prevent lead in cookware