LEAD ANALYSIS FACT SHEET

The Lead Contamination Control Act of 1988 requires schools to make available to the public, teachers, other school personnel, and parents the results of any testing for lead contamination, and to notify parent, teacher, and employee organizations of the availability of these results. In light of recent studies which reveal that even very low levels of lead in drinking water can have subtle adverse effects on children, EPA recommends that actions be taken to limit exposure or reduce lead in water whenever lead levels exceed 20 ug/l. If test results show lead levels in excess of 20 ug/l, you should start Step 2 of the sampling process detailed in the EPA's Lead in School Drinking water Guidance document to track down the sources of the lead contamination. In this second step, follow-up samples are taken from those outlets which show elevated lead levels. Directions for follow-up samples begin on page 37. Identification of the sources of lead contamination is essential to finding solutions that will work. If the lead level of any water fountain or outlet exceeds 20 ug/l, take it out of service immediately until the level of contamination is reduced to below 20 ug/l. January 26, 1999