Lead Levels in School Water Far Exceed Limits, Prompting New EPA Testing Requirements

According to a KSAT News report, the EPA tested several San Antonio ISD schools and found incredibly high levels of lead in the drinking water.

Some of the reported levels were 45 and 18 times the “actionable” limit set by the EPA, registering at 685.7 ppb and 277.2 ppb. The actionable limit is 15 ppb. Highland Park Elementary, Smith Elementary, Mark Twain Dual Language Academy, and Pershing Elementary have the top 5 highest lead levels in Bexar County. Parents from these school districts reportedly received notices in the mail with a recommendation to take their child to a pediatrician as a precaution.

Did You Know?

Young children ages 0-6 are the most at-risk for developmental issues associated with lead poisoning.

What Do I Do If My Child Was Exposed to Lead at School or Daycare?

Lead poisoning is no joke — it can cause serious repercussions for your child. The last place you would expect them to be exposed to lead poisoning is at school or daycare. Those places are meant to be safe for your child.

Let’s take a look at what lead poisoning can do to your child, how they are exposed, and what you can do about it.

Health Effects of Lead Poisoning

There is no such thing as “safe” amounts of lead exposure for you or your child, but some children are more at risk than others. It has many noticeable symptoms, which include:

• Slow Growth/Underdevelopment
• Loss of Appetite or Stomach Pain
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Irritability or Exhaustion
• Constipation

If you notice any of these symptoms in your child who goes to school or attends daycare, take them to a pediatrician ASAP. The long-term effects of lead poisoning can be life-altering, and include:

• Brain Damage
• Hearing/Speech Impediments
• Stunted Development
• Learning Disabilities
• Low IQ

Children don’t always exhibit symptoms. If you think your child may have been exposed, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Exposure

Children are most often exposed to lead through contaminated water and food. Always check on product recalls, especially on baby food pouches and formulas.

Kids are exposed at school through contaminated drinking water, which is used for cooking and washing utensils. They cannot be poisoned just by washing their hands in contaminated water.

Infants and toddlers are also exposed through contaminated drinking water, but they are more prone to sticking toys and other objects in their mouths, so they are also at risk from unsafe toys.

What to Do About It

Here are some steps you can take if you find out your child’s drinking water is unsafe at school or daycare:

• Send Them With Drinking Water From Home
• Ask the School to Provide Bottle Water
• Tell Your Child Not to Drink from Fountains
• Prepare Bottles at Home or Send Bottled Water for Care Providers to Use

If your child was seriously injured by lead poisoning at school or daycare, you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.

Was Your Child Exposed to Unsafe Levels of Lead at School? Call Carabin Shaw

Your child could face irreparable damage from lead exposure. Find out what you’re entitled to by contacting our child injury specialists at Carabin Shaw at 800-862-1260. We’ll review your case for free and advise you on whether or not you can pursue legal action. We look forward to serving you.

Contacting a Carabin Shaw attorney does not obligate you to work with the firm.

¹KSAT News Report

²EPA 2024 Requirements

³CDC on Lead Poisoning