Many Colorado Schools Have Yet to Address Lead Contaminated Drinking Water

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. .
According to an analysis by the Colorado Public
Interest Research Group (CoPIRG), over 2,000
water fixtures tested positive for high levels of lead. .
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'