Lead poisoning has been a silent issue in the country for decades.

Despite its devastating effects on the health and well-being of the population, lead poisoning became a major public concern only a few months ago following the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. Flint brought light to similar infrastructural problems all over the country, Pennsylvania included.

State Rep. Angel Cruz, D-Phila., will introduce three pieces of legislation focused on the improvement of lead testing in the State.

The first piece of legislation would require children under age 6 to be tested for elevated lead levels in their blood. The current recommendation of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control is to test children at ages one, two, and before age six.

“I’m doing this because lead is something that we can prevent from happening. I’m bring awareness and I’m changing the law with this lead stuff,” Cruz told AL DÍA.

The second part of Cruz’s legislation would be an amendment of the Safe Drinking Water Act, which requires water testing every three years. Under Cruz’s bill, the water would be tested annually at the reduced number of sample sites and there would be a complete test from all sample sites every three years.

The third piece of legislation, which is being developed by Lehigh Valley legislators, would extend the lead inspection requirement prior to the sale of a house, as well as all residential rental properties built before 1978. According to this proposal, all rental properties should complete a lead inspection before renting to a new tenant.

“My job is to represent and fight for this people that can not fight for themselves. I will fight everyone that I can and if turns out that there is no lead, well then my job is done,” Cruz added.  “I’ve secured the safety of the people that I represent and I’m going to continue doing stuff like this and bills like this that protect the health and the well-being of the constituency I represent."