Effective 2021, Washington state law (and ) requires drinking water in all K鈥12 public schools built, or with all plumbing replaced, before 2016 be tested for lead. The purpose of lead testing is to identify drinking water outlets that are potential sources of lead exposure. 听
Sometimes lead can accumulate in older or infrequently used drinking water outlets, so these outlets are identified through testing so they can be shut off, replaced or made handwashing only to reduce exposure to lead from school drinking water.
While the likelihood of school drinking water alone causing an elevated blood lead level is very low, it is important to reduce exposure from every source as much as possible.听
This webpage shares:听
- Test results and action plans in 番茄影视 Public Schools听
- Additional information and resources about lead听
Why lead is a concern听
Children are exposed to lead from a variety of environmental sources. Each exposure contributes to the amount of lead in a child鈥檚 body. Some common exposure sources in the home include:听
- Dust from old, deteriorating lead paint.听听
- Contaminated soil.听
- Lead dust tracked into the home from external sources, such as parents and regular visitors who work in certain industries where lead is present.听
Children six years old and younger are the most susceptible to the effects of lead. Their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults, and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. Even at very low levels of exposure, children may experience effects, such as lower IQ levels, reduced attention span, hyperactivity, poor classroom performance, or other harmful physical and behavioral effects. Children over the age of eight are less susceptible to the impacts of lead exposure. Children who have been exposed to lead may not look or act sick. The best way to tell if a child has been exposed is with a blood lead test.听
Where to Learn More听
Lead test results for our schools are available at the district office and on our website below. For more information about water quality in our schools, please contact our Health Services department at 360-676-6455.听
More information about lead exposure and how to prevent it is available at . You can also reach out to the Washington State Department of Health Childhood Blood Lead Program at 800-909-9898 or lead@doh.wa.gov for more information. If you are concerned that your child has been exposed to lead for any reason, ask your healthcare provider about having them tested for lead.听