According to the Jacksonville Journal Courier (that’s Jacksonville, Illinois, not Jacksonville, Florida), some schools have shut down sinks and water fountains after state-mandated tests revealed elevated lead levels.
When test reveal levels above 5 parts per billion, the schools are required to report the results to parents. Schools also must report the results to the Illinois Department of Public Health and implement plans to clean the water systems if necessary.
Lead consumption by children can cause health and development problems. The article quotes Melaney Arnold, spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Public Health, who says:
“Children exposed to high lead levels tend to suffer from lifelong complications that affect their ability to think, learn or behave.”
Illinois is among other states and school districts across the nation taking proactive action to address the problem of lead in drinking water.
