Study raises concerns about lead in LI school drinking water
The report, conducted by the Environment America Research and Policy Center and NYPIRG, comes after state-mandated testing found elevated lead levels in the drinking water at dozens of Long Island schools last December.
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A new report is raising concerns about lead in drinking water at Long Island schools.
The study found that 36% of school buildings in Suffolk County had at least one drinking fountain test above New York state’s lead standard. In Nassau County, 33.7% of school buildings had at least one elevated test.
The report, conducted by the Environment America Research and Policy Center and NYPIRG, comes after state-mandated testing found elevated lead levels in the drinking water at dozens of Long Island schools last December.
Lead can have serious health impacts. Northwell Health Physician Dr. Steven Goldstein says its important parents know what their kids are drinking.
"Families should know what the lead levels are in the water that their kids are drinking at school. If there's an issue and until it's remediated," he said.
The groups are calling on school districts to install lead-filtering systems on taps used for drinking and cooking, adopt stricter lead limits and take action before additional state mandates are put in place.
A state official says school districts can be reimbursed for replacement filters, but says replacing contaminated fixtures is a better long-term solution.
