Schools test low for lead levels

The EPA recommends that school water supplies showing lead levels above 20 parts per billion (ppb) be taken out of service.

Public water systems, which are separately regulated by the EPA and typically the source of school water supplies, have a more stringent requirement of 15 ppb.

All of the water samples in the schools showed lead levels significantly below both those standards. For example, while the most stringent limit is 15 parts per billion, the average at Dry Hollow was just two ppb, at Colonel Wright it was three ppb, Wahtonka was one ppb, Chenowith was three ppb, and the high school was one ppb.

The sample from Mosier was less than one ppb.

The older buildings were tested first, with the expectation that they would be the most likely to have problems. The Dalles Middle School, the newest building, by far, at 15 years old, will be tested before school starts, said Superintendent Candy Armstrong.

Colonel Wright is the oldest building in The Dalles at 92 years, the high school is 76 years old, Chenowith is 63 years old and Dry Hollow is 56 years old.

The Mosier School is over 100 years old.

Oregon schools are not required to test drinking water for lead, but in early June state school and health authorities recommended taking such action, the school district said.

“Accordingly, we contracted with PIXIS Labs of Portland to analyze drinking water at the five schools,” the school district’s statement said.

“We did not test the charter school in Mosier because the district does not own that building,” the statement said. Mosier Charter School did its own testing and provided the results to the district.

“Lead exposure is of particular concern for children because the toxic metal is harmful to health and especially the central nervous system,” the statement said.

The EPA and the Centers for Disease Control agree there is no safe level of lead in a child’s blood.

According to the EPA website, lead can be harmful even at low exposure levels, particularly for children. Lead can accumulate in the body over time.

Even low levels of lead in the blood of children can result in behavior and learning problems.

Lead can come from paint, dust, soil, air, and food, as well as drinking water. The EPA

estimates 20 percent of a child’s exposure can come from drinking water.

The EPA strongly recommends that schools test for lead in water, but does not require it.

In August, the state Board of Education will consider draft rules requiring that all Oregon schools create Healthy and Safe Facilities Plans and submit them by Oct. 1.

Such plans would address testing for lead, radon and air quality.

The district will comply with any such rules adopted, the statement said.

Parents who have questions on these issues should contact Don Carter, NWCSD 21 Facilities Director, at 541-506-3430 or carterd@nwasco.k12.or.us .