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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.
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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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