The water supply in many U.S. schools is found to contain high lead or copper content. Among them are a third of Detroit, Michigan's elementary schools, with 19 out of the 62 schools tested in the city found to contain high levels of lead or copper in the kitchens and drinking water fountains,
Detroit's municipal water supply conforms to the standard implemented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA. Marc Edwards, a professor of Virginia Tech, who also aided in revealing Flint's water supply crisis, said the dangerous effects of lead "is irreversible" and can result to more harm if left untreated, the Associated Press reported via ABC News.
Detroit's Defense
Michelle Zdrodowski, Detroit's spokeswoman, described the high levels of lead or copper in the city as alarming but they don't consider it as excessive or dangerous. To solve the issue, Detroit will provide comprehensive plans (shared with the Detroit Health Department) to alleviate the water contamination.
Lead is a toxicant that can give children intellectual disabilities and nervous system damage, the World Health Organization stated. Long-term effects in adults include increased likelihood of acquiring kidney damage and high-blood pressure. For pregnant women, high levels of lead exposure can cause minor fetus malformations, stillbirth, miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight.
Federal law exempts nine of every 10 U.S. schools and day care centers from lead contamination testing. This is because the schools' water condition already undergoes testing conducted by municipal suppliers.
Detroit is different because it has old buildings and some of its pipes and water fixtures contain lead parts. Schools in the city, however, have low funds to take on testing costs.
Other Schools With High Lead Content
Aside from Michigan schools, high levels of lead were also found in schools in Boston and D.C. Thirty-eight public schools in Boston were tested, with many contaminated fountains taken down due to their lead content, according to RT.
The Boston school district informed parents of the issue, and provided bottled water to students as well as recommendations for places where children can undergo testing for lead poisoning. According to the school district, it will improve the plumbing in the schools so the fountains can have uncontaminated water again.
High lead content were found in the water supply of three D.C. elementary schools, the Washington Post reported. Water sources in the schools have been shut down due to lead contamination, even those which were recently renovated.
The Department of General Services, or DGS, tests every water fountain every year for lead content. The agency's staff shuts off the main water supply if the water sources aren't at par with DGS' standards, and will then set up a filter or change the pipes. Afterwards, they will conduct a retest.
