Many Colorado Schools, Have Yet to Address Lead , Contaminated Drinking Water .<br />'Newsweek' reports that water contaminated <br />with lead has been detected across ten of <br />the largest school districts in Colorado. .<br />According to an analysis by the Colorado Public <br />Interest Research Group (CoPIRG), over 2,000 <br />water fixtures tested positive for high levels of lead. .<br />After a year of first detecting <br />the contamination, over half <br />have yet to be addressed.<br />Kids may be out of school for the <br />summer, but schools have a lot <br />of homework to do to ensure <br />sources of lead-contaminated <br />drinking water are addressed <br />before kids return in the fall, Kristin Schatz, Clean air advocate at CoPIGR, via 'Newsweek'.<br />Exposure to lead can be particularly <br />harmful to kids, with a significant <br />impact on learning, growth and behavior.<br />According to the American Academy <br />of Pediatrics, there is no level of lead <br />exposure for children that is considered "safe.".<br />According to the American Academy <br />of Pediatrics, there is no level of lead <br />exposure for children that is considered "safe.".<br />'Newsweek' reports that a 2022 state law required <br />all elementary schools and child care centers serving <br />grades preschool through fifth grade to test for lead.<br />The results of those tests were made public in 2023, <br />and schools were required to remediate any water <br />sources with 5 parts per billion (ppb) or more of lead.<br />The results of those tests were made public in 2023, <br />and schools were required to remediate any water <br />sources with 5 parts per billion (ppb) or more of lead.<br />Of the 2,201 contaminated drinking water sources with lead levels of 5 ppb or more, only 36% of those sources have been addressed, according to CoPIGR's report.<br />Knowledge is power. Parents armed <br />with the state's lead testing results <br />should have an easier time getting <br />school administrators to 'get the <br />lead out' and if they are not <br />responsive, it should be easier <br />to hold them accountable, Kristin Schatz, Clean air advocate at CoPIGR, via 'Newsweek'
