EPA Releases Guidance on Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a new guide to help schools reduce lead in drinking water: 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools. This guide provides the information schools need to identify potential sources of lead in their facilities; monitor school drinking water for elevated lead levels; resolve problems if elevated lead levels are found; and communicate about their lead control programs.
EPA developed the 3Ts (Training, Testing and Telling) to help schools implement simple strategies for managing the health risks of lead in drinking water. The Training is intended to raise awareness among school officials of the potential occurrences, causes, and health effects of lead in drinking water; assist school officials in identifying potential areas where elevated lead may occur; and establish a testing plan to identify and prioritize testing sites. The Testing aspect is used to identify potential problems with drinking water in schools and take corrective actions as necessary. And the final step of the guidance is Telling where schools are reminded of the importance of informing students, parents, staff, and the larger community about monitoring programs, potential risks, the results of testing, and remediation actions.
According to the EPA, ensuring that the water provided in schools is safe for children to drink is a fundamental responsibility. In addition to health benefits, schools that voluntarily test drinking water and make information about their program available to the public enjoy enhanced credibility, positive publicity, parental and community support, and stature as a standard-setting “best practices” facility.
Health Effects of Lead
Lead is a toxic metal that is harmful to human health and has no known value to the human body. Young children, those 6 years and younger, are at particular risk for lead exposure because they have frequent hand-to-mouth activity and absorb lead more easily than adults. Lead is also harmful to the developing fetuses of pregnant women. Lead can affect almost every organ and system in the body. However, the most sensitive is the central nervous system (brain), particularly in children. Low blood levels of lead have been associated with reduced IQ and attention span, learning disabilities, poor classroom performance, hyperactivity, behavioral problems, impaired growth, and hearing loss. Furthermore, very high lead levels can cause severe neurological problems such as coma, convulsions, and even death. The only method to determine a child’s lead level is for them to have a blood lead test done by a health provider.
Sources of Lead
Lead is distributed in the environment through both natural and man-made means. Today, the greatest contributions of lead to the environment stem from past human activities. Sources of lead exposure include: lead-based paint, lead in the air, lead in soil, lead industry, lead in consumer products and food, and lead in water. Lead can get into drinking water in two ways: 1) by being present in the source water, such as coming from contaminated runoff or water pollution; and 2) through an interaction between the water and plumbing materials containing lead, such as through corrosion. Even though public water suppliers may deliver water that meets all federal and state public health standards for lead, some drinking waters may end up with too much lead due to the plumbing in the facility they come from. Lead sources include lead solders; lead pipes and pipe fittings; fixtures, valves, meters and other system components containing brass; and sediments. The potential for lead to leach into water can increase the longer the water remains in contact with lead in plumbing. As a result, facilities with intermittent water use patterns, such as schools, may have elevated lead concentrations.
How Schools Can Start a Lead in Drinking Water Control Program
In order for schools to implement a successful lead in drinking water control program they should follow the guidance established by the EPA as well as state and local statutory provisions and regulations that apply to school drinking water. To comply with those guidelines, schools will need to collect information on school drinking water and identify assistance to help implement a school lead control program; develop a plumbing profile; develop a drinking water testing plan; test the facilities’ drinking water for lead; correct problems when elevated lead levels are found; and communicate with the school community about a school lead control program.
In addition to the guidance for schools, EPA has also developed guidance for lead control in drinking water for child care facilities. To obtain free online copies of those guides and tools, please visit http://www.epa.gov/safewater/schools/guidance.html#3ts.
For additional information, please contact:
Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: (202) 272-0167
Source: “3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools: Revised Technical Guidance.”