BACKGROUND: Most schools receive their drinking water from public drinking water systems. Since the recognition of lead in public water supplies in Flint, Michigan, there has been increased public interest in the problem of lead in aging plumbing systems. In February 2016, Idaho health officials at the Eastern Idaho Public Health (EIPH) district were notified of elevated lead found in a drinking fountain in the school, which tested at 30 parts per billion (ppb), exceeding the national lead action level of 15 ppb. In addition, it was discovered that another drinking fountain in the school had tested high (114 ppb) in 2013, but no further action had been taken at that time. A coordinated response including local public health officials, policy makers, school administrators, and the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Medicaid and Public Health Divisions in the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW), was undertaken.
METHODS: Multiple conference calls were held among responding agencies to discuss logistics. The school water supply was shut down temporarily. A local public health department in another part of the state with a history of lead-contaminated soil in in a Superfund site contributed educational materials, screening results letters, and just-in-time training to EIPH staff on blood lead screening. Both drinking fountains were replaced with modern units. Additional testing was conducted on all of the elementary school’s drinking fountains and kitchen sink faucets. EIPH officials activated their Medical Reserve Corps, obtained additional blood lead screening units through an agreement with Medicaid, provided educational information to the school, and offered free testing to all schoolchildren and staff at the school. School officials distributed consent forms to impacted families. Two screening events, and one make-up clinic, were held 12 and 13 days after initial notification of the elevated lead result.
RESULTS: Of 31 water samples collected, only water from the initially implicated drinking fountain had a high (50ppb) lead level. A total of 277 persons (64% of 432 students and staff) were screened during the three clinic events. No blood levels were above the national reference level of 5 micrograms of lead per deciliter. Individual lead screening results were provided to all students and staff tested. Water taken from two new drinking fountains installed at the school showed lead concentrations below the laboratory detection level.
CONCLUSIONS: A coordinated response to elevated lead in a school drinking water fountain allowed timely and successful community intervention.