Summary
Data from the Washington Department of Health shows that most schools in the state have levels of lead in their drinking water that exceed the safety limit set by the state. Children under 6 are especially vulnerable to lead exposure, which can harm their health and development. The department advises against drinking water from fixtures with lead levels over 5 parts per billion (ppb), while fixtures with 15 ppb or higher must be shut off immediately.
Key Facts
- About 75% of schools in Washington have lead levels above the state's action limit of 5 ppb.
- Lead in drinking water can come from old pipes and plumbing fixtures.
- Nearly half of tested schools had lead levels over 15 ppb in their water.
- The highest lead level recorded was 4,853 ppb at Silver Beach Elementary School in Bellingham.
- Years of manufacture before 1986 may include lead in plumbing, but newer rules aim to prevent this.
- Lead exposure can cause lower IQ, hyperactivity, and other health issues in children.
- Over 80% of the total drinking fixtures tested showed levels below 5 ppb.
- Some schools had extremely high lead concentrations, exceeding 100 ppb in at least one fixture.
