Post by Logan on Apr 9, 2016 21:54:11 GMT -6
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Fears are growing in New Jersey over how much lead is in school water.
Newark, the state's largest district, revealed last month that half its aging buildings contained lead-tainted water. But concerns may only grow if state lawmakers pass a bill requiring all schools to test their water.
In New Jersey, just a fraction of schools and day care centers are required to check drinking fountains and sink water for lead, a toxin known to limit a child's development. Federal law requires testing only in schools that run their own water systems, opposed to those hooked up to a larger utility.
These schools represent only about 1 of every 10 schools in the country. And since 2013, 278 school water systems nationwide have exceeded federal lead standards, according to an Associated Press analysis of data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Read more: www.northjersey.com/news/most-school-districts-in-new-jersey-go-untested-for-lead-1.1541700
Newark, the state's largest district, revealed last month that half its aging buildings contained lead-tainted water. But concerns may only grow if state lawmakers pass a bill requiring all schools to test their water.
In New Jersey, just a fraction of schools and day care centers are required to check drinking fountains and sink water for lead, a toxin known to limit a child's development. Federal law requires testing only in schools that run their own water systems, opposed to those hooked up to a larger utility.
These schools represent only about 1 of every 10 schools in the country. And since 2013, 278 school water systems nationwide have exceeded federal lead standards, according to an Associated Press analysis of data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Read more: www.northjersey.com/news/most-school-districts-in-new-jersey-go-untested-for-lead-1.1541700