During National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, which began on Sunday and continues until Saturday, the Arizona Department of Health Services has highlighted its efforts to reduce lead exposure in drinking water at schools and childcare centers. This initiative aims to protect young children in educational settings.
Children in schools may be at risk of lead exposure from contaminated water due to aging fixtures and pipes in older buildings. The Arizona Department of Health Services emphasizes that testing every water outlet is necessary to identify unsafe lead levels.
To address this issue, the Arizona Department of Health Services launched a voluntary program in 2021 called Lead Testing in Drinking Water at Arizona Schools and Childcare Facilities. Funded by federal money from the WIIN Act, the program provides free lead testing for schools and childcare centers, along with training and resources for addressing any lead-related issues. The Public Health Chemistry Department at the State Laboratory Services is also involved in ensuring reliable test results.
The initiative has produced results, with over 3,000 water samples collected from 221 charter schools, 47 public schools, and 109 childcare facilities. In addition to addressing drinking water concerns, the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at ADHS has also informed parents that lead can be present in older paint, toys, and candies, as noted in their recent blog post.
The ADHS provides several strategies for Arizonans to reduce lead exposure at home: check for lead risks, prioritize hygiene after outdoor play, change clothes and wash up after being around lead at work, use a mop instead of dry dusting, and hire only EPA-certified firms with lead-safe training for home renovations. They emphasize the importance of these measures for improving the safety of children in Arizona.
