More than half of Atlanta Public Schools buildings tested have high levels of lead in their drinking water.
That means that at one or more sources tested in the school, lead levels exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency limit for water systems of 15 parts per billion. The EPA recommends that schools take water fountains and other water sources out of service if lead levels exceed 20 parts per billion.
But even children at schools that weren't flagged for high levels of lead could be at risk: There is no "safe" level for lead exposure in children. Even low levels of lead in children's blood can result in behavior and learning problems, lower IQ, slowed growth and other problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
District-wide results are expected later this summer.
>>Read more: More than half of the Atlanta Public Schools buildings tested have high lead levels
School | Built / Latest Renovation | Results | Follow-up |
---|---|---|---|
Agnes Jones | 2005 | No levels above 15 ppb found | |
Archer (temporary site for Boyd Elementary) | 1955/1985 | Sink, boys bathroom #115A2: 35 ppb; Office bathroom #119A: 511 ppb; Kitchen #122: 160 ppb; Kitchen sink: 61.2 ppb | Change faucets for 115A, office bathroom and kitchen sinks and flush bathroom sinks. Plumber working on. |
BEST Academy | 2009 | No levels above 15 ppb found | |
Blalock | 1971 | Sink room 125: 20.5 | Sink flushed |
Bolton Academy | 2003 | No levels above 15 ppb found | |
Brewer Building | 1958/1990 | Water fountain at entrance on left: 17.7 ppb; CPR training room sink: 37.1 ppb | Sink, fountain flushed. Awaiting retest results. |
Bunche | 1957/2015 | No levels above 15 ppb found | |
Carver | 1920/2005 | No levels above 15 ppb found | |
Cascade | 1995 | Room 302: 37 ppb; Room 317: 21 ppm | Sinks flushed. Awaiting retest results. |
Cleveland | 1975/2000 | No levels above 15 ppb found | |
Continental Colony | 1963/2011 | No levels above 15 ppb found | |
Coretta Scott King | 2009 | Ste 327 sink: 286 ppb | Flushed. Follow-up test below 15 ppb. |
Crim | 1940/2007 | Fountain near 2401: 19.3 ppb; Clinic sink, 1116: 137 ppb; Fountain near 1212: 26.5 ppb | Sources flushed. Fountain near 2401: 20.8 ppb; Clinic sink, 1116: 118 ppb; Fountain near 1212: 27.2 ppb. Awaiting equipment replacement, additional flushing. |
Facilities | 1965 | Locksmith sink: 16.9 ppb; IT warehouse fountain: 26.4 ppb | Faucet replaced; follow-up test: 4.24 ppb. Fountain replaced; follow-up test: 39.9 ppb; fountain flushed; awaiting retest results. |
Grady | 1924/2005 | Men's restroom sink (G1110): 90.8 ppb | Sink flushed. Awaiting retest results. |
Hope-Hill | 2002 | Room C107: 52.7 ppb | Sink flushed. Follow-up test below 15 ppb. |
Inman | 1923/2005 | Water fountain near boys restroom 30322: 92.3 ppb; First sink on right for boys restroom 3032: 16.2 ppb; Women's restroom in auditorium 1028: 243 ppb; Men's restroom in auditorium 1029: 41.3 ppb | Flushed |
Jackson HS | 1963/2014 | No levels above 15 ppb found | |
Oglethorpe | 1958/2002 | No levels above 15 ppb found | |
Peterson (adult literacy site) | 1959 | Media center sink: 76.2 ppb | Sink flushed. Awaiting retest results. |
Sarah Smith Intermediate | Kitchen pot wash sink: 51.8 ppb | Sink flushed. Follow-up test below 15 ppb. | |
Sarah Smith Primary | No levels above 15 ppb found | ||
Slater | 1952/2002 | No levels above 15 ppb found | |
Sutton | 1951/2011 | Fountain near Room 362: 27.6 ppb | Awaiting facilities |
Sutton 6th Grade Academy | 1978/2006 | Gym concession sink: 25 ppb | Awaiting facilities |
Sylvan | 1966/1996 | No levels above 15 ppb found | |
Therrell | 1960/2011 | Room 302: 25.8 ppb | Sink flushed. Follow-up test below 15 ppb. |
Toomer | 1967/1998 | No levels above 15 ppb found | |
Usher-Collier Heights | 1969/2003 | Workroom 2118: 63.9 ppb | Sink flushed. Follow-up test results: 218 ppb. Faucet replaced. Awaiting retest results. |
Washington | 1924/2005 | No levels above 15 ppb found |
Source: APS test results through June 27 obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution under the Georgia Open Records Act
Note: 25 samples were taken at each site except for Sarah Smith Intermediate (17 samples), BEST Academy (50 samples for middle and high school) and Coretta Scott King (50 samples for middle and high school).
>>Read more: More than half of the Atlanta Public Schools buildings tested have high lead levels
About the Author