Lehigh Valley Schools Testing Drinking Water For Lead (LATEST UPDATES)

Hidden dangers revealed in Lehigh Valley schools
69 News

"A Lehigh University water expert, working with 69 News, says the drinking water in three public schools he tested for lead is not safe to drink. One sample found lead at three times the level the EPA considers acceptable, and nearly nine times greater than the level recommended by scientists studying the water in Flint, Michigan."

My Comments About The Article AboveFirst off, a great big salute goes out to WFMZ for it's investigative reporting. This is journalism at it's finest !

Whether these results prove erroneous or not, the important thing is we will have the question of water safety answered. Up this point the issue concerning lead found in children has been blown off as coming from lead based paints in older homes. Let's make sure before we conclude this is the only cause.

I understand how this could open a can of worms for already cash strapped school districts and why their reluctance. However this is something the school districts should have done to CYA themselves. Surely they must have anticipated the risks for not getting out in front of the issue before it could blow up on them. Especially in light of how this concern has now come to the forefront across the country.

There are a couple alternatives cheaper then replacing the entire plumbing within school buildings. Charcoal filters specifically designed to remove lead or osmosis units could be installed on drinking fountains as well as in food preparation areas. The number of fountains could be reduced to a few strategically placed drinking stations. Since skin has almost no ability to absorb lead from a shower they would be of little concern. In a worse case scenario not every pipe would have to be replaced.

If corrected properly parents will have more to worry about then school drinking fountains. According to the CDC artificial turf, candy, toys and jewelry may also be a source. "Lead has been found in the wrappers of some imported candies. The ink of these plastic or paper wrappers may contain lead that leaches into the candy.".

Just in case you need something else to worry about...

In September a Washington University study found, "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency allows drinking water to contain no more than 10 parts per billion of arsenic... wine samples ranged from 10 to 76 parts per billion, with an average of 24 parts per billion.... a companion study concluded that the likely health risks from that naturally-occurring toxic element depend on how many other foods and beverages known to be high in arsenic, such as apple juice, rice, or cereal bars, an individual person eats. The highest risks from arsenic exposure stem from certain types of infant formulas, the study estimated."


In SummaryWe shouldn't assume bottled water to be the complete alternate answer. The CDC says, "some bottled waters have not been tested and may not be appropriate for consumption."

On March 8, 2016 the Pa.DEP issued a public notice stating in September 2015 "Crystal Spring Water" (Berks County) sold in it's vending machines water that "contained a lead level of 16 parts per billion (ppb) which is above the maximum contaminant level of 5 ppb. According to the Safe Drinking Water Act." Although it wasn't it's bottled water it just goes to show lead can sometimes show up in the least likely places even with rigorous testing.

Let's not get over excited jumping down the throats of school officials. Yes we should exercise caution to be on the safe side, but when you factor in the dangers of arsenic from hand me down toys, jewelry, juices, snacks and infant formula these too should be factored into the whole equation. Unless a kid is going to drink a couple of gallons a day at school this may be the least of he or she's health concerns.


One Final Note Maybe Worth Mentioning"A new study by the Center for Public Integrity, a nonpartisan, nonprofit investigative news organization founded in 1989, found that about 1,000 ingredients found in products on our grocery store shelves were not approved by the FDA. How can this be?

Since 1958, food manufacturers have been able to use a loophole, called the Food Additives Amendment, to sometimes get around FDA approval. With this amendment, companies can say a product’s ingredients are “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS), and thereby bypass the lengthy FDA approval process and any special package warnings that the agency might require."



UPDATEWFMZ (10:31 PM): District: Water is safe at Northeast Middle School-- "Water samples were collected following a 69 News exclusive story showing high levels of lead in three Lehigh Valley schools."

The Allentown School District published this press release on 03/28/2016. In part it said, "Since neither the station nor the professor were provided access to these two schools, we cannot verify that proper testing protocols have been followed. Therefore, today – Monday, March 28 – the District had water testing performed at these schools by certified professionals and results are expected quickly. Until we receive the results of this accurate analysis, both schools will refrain for using the water for consumption.

It should be noted that the ASD Facilities Plan had already included water testing in a number of ASD buildings this year and has expanded that to include testing all ASD buildings. A water testing timeframe will be set as quickly as possible."


FINAL UPDATE
(03/30/2016)
The Allentown School District further posted this update on Wednesday, March 30, 2016..."The Allentown School District has received the results of water testing at both William Allen High School and Union Terrace Elementary School. We are pleased to announce that the water test results were well below EPA action levels. The water is safe for use in both schools.

Twenty water samples were collected by Element Environmental Solutions, Inc. by their licensed and certified sample professionals on Monday, March 28, after water in both schools sat unused for 4 days. The EPA guidelines recommend that water sit for at least a minimum of 6 hours before testing. All samples were collected in accordance with EPA testing protocols that incorporate the Federal Lead and Copper Rule.

All sample results were under the .015 EPA recommended action limit. However, one sample – an old water cooler with chiller unit at William Allen registered a .012. The District is acting with an abundance of caution and has removed this water cooler from service. Out of the remaining results 2 were at .004; 1 was at .003; 6 were at .002; 5 were at .001; and 6 were under .001."