To protect children, schools must lead the effort to prevent lead poisoning
Fresno County contains eight of the top 50 census districts in California with the highest numbers of kids with lead poisoning, according to a recent article in The Fresno Bee. This is completely unacceptable.
Lead is an extremely dangerous neurotoxin, to which young children are the most susceptible. Doctors have stated that there is no safe level of lead for children. Exposure, even to tiny amounts, is linked to depression, anxiety, autism, and other health issues. One in five cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the U.S. is linked to lead exposure, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
We have known about the dangers of lead for decades, and while there has been progress in eliminating lead in paint and gasoline, we are dangerously behind in getting lead out of drinking water. During the crisis in Flint, Michigan five years ago, thousands of kids were exposed to this toxin just by turning on the tap. The number of children with special education needs in Flint has increased 56% since the lead crisis. Lead has been used in plumbing for thousands of years — in fact the word “plumbing” comes from the Latin word for “lead.” Despite our knowledge of the dangers of lead, California health code still allowed lead-bearing parts in plumbing until 2010. This is a particular concern for schools, where kids go to learn and play.
A state law passed in 2017 required all schools in California to test up to five drinking water outlets for lead. According to the California Water Boards, 25% of schools in Fresno County found lead in the drinking water. Fresno Unified School District found drinking water outlets contaminated by lead in 29% of its schools. Fresno Unified has taken initial steps to address this issue, including installing some new water-bottle filling stations, but more can be done.
Current federal regulations allow up to 15 parts per billion (ppb) of lead in drinking water. However, in 2016, the American Academy of Pediatrics stated that this standard is insufficient to protect children from lead toxicity. They officially recommend that no more than 1 ppb of lead should be allowed in drinking water. Since the state of California currently follows the federal standard, many contaminated water outlets are still in service and being used by students in Fresno County schools.
Since the state is not taking adequate steps to protect our children from lead exposure, our local school districts have an opportunity to lead the way in protecting students’ health. Fresno Unified and other county school districts should adopt a new policy to allow no more than 1 ppb of lead in drinking water, consistent with pediatricians’ recommendations.
By taking this critical step, school boards can protect the health of our children and guarantee that all students have access to safe, clean drinking water in school.