Hundreds Of Newark Students Tested For Lead Exposure
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Hundreds of students in Newark were tested Thursday for exposure to lead, and thousands more will be tested soon.
The Newark School District turned off water at 30 schools last week after test results revealed unsafe lead levels. The Newark city health director announced Tuesday that blood tests will be offered to 17,000 students at those schools for lead.
Tests began at two schools, starting with the youngest children, who are most vulnerable to the effects of lead poisoning.
CBS2's Tony Aiello reported Thursday that students at one Newark pre-kindergarten must be tested before enrolling because the school is federally funded.
"I am pleased because at the end of the day, they're helping us out. It's free," resident Ana Figueroa told CBS2.
At Bard High School, one lead water sample had 558 parts per billion; Branch Brook Elementary had 194 parts per billion; and Wilson Avenue Elementary tested at 193. Lead in drinking water should not exceed 15 parts per billion.
There is also some speculation that the Newark School District knew about a potential lead issue in school water supplies as early as two years ago. A memo released by the Newark School District in August 2014 mandated all schools run and flush each water fountain for two minutes daily before school opens. The same steps applied for the cafeteria faucets prior to food preparation usage.
Principals were also instructed to tell students and staff to run fountains for at least 30 seconds before drinking the water.
School officials admitted the problem went back to 2012, when 12 percent of more than 2,000 quality samples were above the Environmental Protection Agency's so-called "action level" at 50 parts per billion, WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reports.
"It is hard to imagine that a serious threat to the health of our children would have continued for so long in secrecy under a school administration chosen by representatives of the people of Newark. Two decades of state control have allowed this problem to fester. It is time for the state to return control of our schools to the people and pay for a solution that is effective and long-term," Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said in a statement.
Officials have said the water supply in Newark is fine. Old pipes and fittings inside aging buildings are to blame for the spike in lead levels.
"I'm just glad they're giving the free testing today and hopefully the kids will be alright," resident Catherine Sanders told CBS2.
Students from Weequahic High School plan to launch a series of protests against New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's neglect of the water issue. The students plan to hold a silent sit-in at the Ronald Stone gym on Friday morning.
Newark parents protested on Wednesday evening, with two events taking place at city hall for a council meeting and another being held at Arts High School.
"It's not fair that we get to drink dirty water," one student told 1010 WINS' Al Jones. "Because other people are going to get sick."
The district is coordinating with the state DEP to conduct additional water testing in all 67 Newark schools starting over the weekend. The city housing authority has also ordered lead testing in all of its buildings.
Too much lead can damage the nervous system, with younger children more vulnerable to long-term damage.
Tested students will get their results back in a few days. The city isn't sure how many students will seek testing as older kids who have shown no signs of lead poisoning might want to skip testing.
School officials told CBS2 they will follow-up with every family of a student who tests positive.