Lead in School's Drinking Water
S-875: Drinking Water Right to Know Act
A bill to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to require additional monitoring of certain contaminants, and for other purposes.
What is Lead?
Lead is a toxic material known to be harmful to human health if ingested or inhaled. Lead in the body can damage the brain, kidneys, nervous system and red blood cells.
Who is affected by lead?
EVERYONE! However, children, infants, pregnant women and their unborn children are especially vulnerable to lead.
How does lead affect us?
In children, lead has been associated with impaired mental and physical development, as well as hearing problems. The harmful effects of lead in the body can be subtle and may occur without any obvious signs of lead poisoning.
How does lead get into the school’s drinking water?
Lead enters drinking water from a building’s plumbing system. Lead may be present in various parts of the plumbing system (such as lead solder, brass fixtures, and lead pipes) and is picked up by the water passing through the plumbing system. The amount of lead, if any, in a plumbing system will depend on the age of the system and the materials from which the system was constructed.
How do you know how much lead is in the drinking water?
The only way to determine how much lead is present in the drinking water at your school is to have the water tested. Each tap or fixture providing water for drinking or cooking purposes should be tested for lead at least every five years. Based on the results, action should be taken to replace or repair the water outlets or pipes.
For more information contact the Minnesota Department of Health
Minnesota Department of Health, Section of Drinking Water Protection, 651-215- 0770, www.health.state.mn.us
Minnesota Department of Children, Families, and Learning, 651-582 -8748, www.cfl.state.mn.us
Sources:
Minnesota Department of Health and the United States Environmental Protection Agency
Great information to have when voting for this issue. I didn't know it could affect unborn children! I wonder how much lead is in our schools water, or if its ever been tested?!
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