Many Colorado Schools, Have Yet to Address Lead , Contaminated Drinking Water .
'Newsweek' reports that water contaminated with lead has been detected across ten of the largest school districts in Colorado.
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According to an analysis by the Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPIRG), over 2,000 water fixtures tested positive for high levels of lead.
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After a year of first detecting the contamination, over half have yet to be addressed.
Kids may be out of school for the summer, but schools have a lot of homework to do to ensure sources of lead-contaminated drinking water are addressed before kids return in the fall, Kristin Schatz, Clean air advocate at CoPIGR, via 'Newsweek'.
Exposure to lead can be particularly harmful to kids, with a significant impact on learning, growth and behavior.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there is no level of lead exposure for children that is considered "safe.".
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there is no level of lead exposure for children that is considered "safe.".
'Newsweek' reports that a 2022 state law required all elementary schools and child care centers serving grades preschool through fifth grade to test for lead.
The results of those tests were made public in 2023, and schools were required to remediate any water sources with 5 parts per billion (ppb) or more of lead.
The results of those tests were made public in 2023, and schools were required to remediate any water sources with 5 parts per billion (ppb) or more of lead.
Of the 2,201 contaminated drinking water sources with lead levels of 5 ppb or more, only 36% of those sources have been addressed, according to CoPIGR's report.
Knowledge is power.
Parents armed with the state's lead testing results should have an easier time getting school administrators to 'get the lead out' and if they are not responsive, it should be easier to hold them accountable, Kristin Schatz, Clean air advocate at CoPIGR, via 'Newsweek'
