Lead-Free Learning Initiative marks children’s health success through partnerships with schools, communities and policymakers
Salt Lake City, UT – Utah has reached a national milestone, becoming the first state in the U.S. to test 100% of K-12 schools for lead in their drinking water. Through the Utah Division of Drinking Water Lead-Free Learning Initiative, 1,158 samples from public, charter, private, and childcare facilities were tested for lead contamination.
“The school districts and community partners have been instrumental in reaching this all-time high participation rate,” says Dr. Nathan Lunstad, director of the Division of Drinking Water, “we are glad to have community support in providing clean drinking water.”
Lead is a toxic heavy metal that can target almost every organ system in the body, and is especially harmful to the brain and nervous system. Developing children are the most vulnerable to lead poisoning, and exposure to lead can lead to serious long-term health effects, including lower IQ, decreased ability to pay attention, and underperformance in school.
The Division of Drinking Water and Department of Health and Human Services have been working to test the taps at schools at childcare centers since 2017, but testing was voluntary until the 2022 legislative session, when HB21 was passed. The bill, sponsored by former state Rep. Handy and Sen. Iwamoto, required all public and private schools to test every drinking water tap for lead, and established an action level of 5 parts per billion.
“Every child in Utah should have access to clean, lead-free drinking water in their homes and places of learning. While protecting children from lead exposure had long been a priority, it took several years to gain the support and funding needed for legislation,” said former state Representative Handy. “Today, Utah is leading the nation in taking proactive steps for the health and safety of our youngest residents. This milestone is a testament to what can be accomplished when we can come together with a shared commitment, and I’m incredibly proud to see this vision become a reality.”
Through the Lead-free Learning Initiative, sampling is completely free to all Utah schools, including the shipping costs of sampling kits. Funding is also available to schools to resolve lead exceedances, which can be as simple as replacing a lead-containing fixture.
“Parents want to know that their children are safe not only where they live, but where they learn and play. Having every school’s drinking water tested for lead is an incredible achievement for public health and Utah.” Dr. Alejandra Maldonado, state toxicologist from the Department of Health and Human Services, says, “Having every school’s drinking water tested for lead is an incredible achievement for public health and Utah. When you think of the number of children in over 1,100 public schools and the positive long-term health outcomes from preventing lead exposure, this is something all Utahn’s can be proud of.”
While the testing results are still being evaluated, the extensive sampling effort is an important step in the right direction. The achievement exemplifies Utah’s commitment to safe drinking water, and collaborative efforts between state agencies, schools, and communities to prioritize children’s health.
For more information, please visit LeadFreeSchools.utah.gov
