DALLAS, Texas (AURN News) — A new report reveals widespread lead contamination in drinking water across Texas schools and daycare centers. An analysis by the Environment Texas Research and Policy Center found that 78% of schools and daycares in the state reported at least one instance of lead in their drinking water. The study examined data from 1,509 educational facilities that submitted records to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) as part of its Lead Testing in School and Child Care Program. Of the schools and daycares reporting, 1,175 identified lead levels above 1 part per billion (ppb).
Luke Metzger, executive director of Environment Texas and its research center, emphasized the gravity of the situation. “We send our kids to school to learn and grow. We should not tolerate them being exposed to a poison which could cost them IQ points or cause behavioral problems,” he said.
The organization is now calling for solutions from state legislators. Some progress has already been made, with districts in Austin, Houston, and other cities installing lead-filtering hydration stations.
Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Jamie Jackson:
