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During the month of February, the District volunteered to
have the drinking water tested in all of the elementary schools as part
of a child health initiative through the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), the New York State Department of
Health, and the Albany County Health Department. The School
District’s Maintenance Department worked closely with the EPA and the
Health Departments to test the drinking
water to make sure it is in compliance with the EPA standard for lead.
The schools’ water supply is the same as the water that the City
supplies to all households.
EPA, State, and County Health
Department personnel conducted water sampling in drinking water at the
schools from drinking fountains, faucets, and any other drinking water
source. Two samples were taken from each fixture; one initially and one
shortly after the water ran, in order to determine lead levels.
An EPA-designated laboratory analyzed the samples. A total
of 400 faucets and fixtures were tested, and the results indicated that
the majority of samples were below the EPA action level for lead
concentration in water which is stated as “20 parts per billion (ppb)”.
However, there were 32 fixtures with lead concentrations that
exceeded the EPA action level resulting in immediate action by the
School District.
The fact that only some outlets in some schools tested at a
level above the EPA standard means that it is not a system-wide problem,
but more likely due to older faucets or faucets that are not used often
enough to flush out the lead levels.
These 32 fixtures are located at School 19, TOAST, Giffen
Memorial Elementary School, Pine Hills Elementary School, Arbor Hill
Elementary Community School, and North Albany Academy.
Upon learning the results of the testing, each of the 32
faucets was posted with a sign reading “out of order”, and the handles
were removed. In addition, maintenance staff are now replacing faucet
fixtures, or in some cases, faucet screens, which may have caused the
elevated lead levels, or some water fountains will simply be removed.
Each of the faucets will be retested before being, once again, allowed
for drinking use.
According to the EPA, lead paint, not drinking water, is
typically the primary source of lead poisoning in children. Lead has
been an important public health issue for many years, and the effects of
lead in drinking water on blood lead levels have been studied. Overall,
the consensus of professional opinion is that lead in drinking water
does not appear to influence blood lead levels nearly as much as other
sources such as lead paint. Per the EPA,
State, and County Health Departments,
high lead levels pose the greatest threat to children 6 years of age and
younger, and that is the reason that elementary schools were tested.
Please know that health and safety is a District priority. Also, the
EPA recommends that even at home water should run for a short period
from a fixture prior to use. This ensures that lead or other
contaminants that may be present in water
resting in pipes are diluted or flushed prior to consumption.
The District has taken, and will take steps to protect the health and
safety of the students and staff,
and will continue to work with the State and
County Health Departments to resolve all concerns. If you have
concerns about this or would like additional information, please consult
with your health care provider, our school health office, or contact the
Albany County Health Department at 447-4615.
Thank you for your attention to this important information.
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