Get the Lead Out of Schools

Despite near universal agreement among scientists that lead is extremely detrimental, especially for children, this neurotoxin continues to flow out of water fountains and kitchen taps in schools across the northeast.

The Problem:

There is no safe level for lead—even small amounts are highly toxic, especially for children. Studies show infants and children who are exposed to even low levels of lead may experience behavioral problems, learning deficits, and lowered IQ. Children are also susceptible to brain and kidney damage. Schools, the very places students go to learn, are often where exposure to lead-contaminated water can leave them with lasting health impacts.

Is Your Child’s School Safe from Lead?

Lead in schools’ drinking water is still a real threat. In 2017, 64,000 taps were tested in Massachusetts schools, and over half of these taps contained high levels of lead. In 2018, 741 New Hampshire kids tested positive for blood lead levels at or above the Centers for Disease Control’s recommended intervention level. Our children are not safe from lead poisoning, so it’s up to you to push your child’s school to get the lead out.

The Solution:

We’ve witnessed the power of concerned parents and neighbors coming together to organize in order to make the changes we need to keep our kids safe.

There are immediate steps that schools can take to protect kids from lead. Schools can install filters and start regularly testing all water sources used for drinking and cooking. But schools shouldn’t wait for tests to confirm that kids are drinking lead-laced water. The safest, permanent solution is removing the lead pipes for good.

Want to get started today?

The Back to School Toolkit is designed to help parents, teachers and school officials get the facts on lead in drinking water and make the case for strong local action to ensure safe drinking water at school.

Download the Back to School Toolkit to learn the facts, raise awareness, take action to make your child’s school lead-free.

We’re proud to partner with Environment America to get this toolkit into parents’ hands.

Want to talk more about what you can do? Get help now!