Community Forums 2016 - Paterson Public Schools

Transcript

Paterson Public Schools Water Quality Update Water Quality Testing Steve Morlino Executive Director of Facilities Community Forums 2016 PS 28 - May 2 PS 27 - May 5 PS 26 - May 10 PS 21 - May 11 MLK - May 16 PS 25 – May 17 Dr. Donnie Evans, Superintendent Eileen Shafer, Deputy Superintendent Daisy Ayala , SBA LEAD In Water Testing in the news… Paterson Public School’s Second Year Annual testing In Progress Testing for Lead in Drinking Water • Public water systems are required by federal standards to test for lead throughout the distribution system to identify system-wide problems, not to specifically sample individual buildings or taps such as schools. The Passaic Valley Water Commission (PVWC) is responsible for conducting these tests. The entire Paterson community receives the PVWC report and copies are in our schools. • Again, PVWC testing is the only testing that is required currently under the law. PVWC has not released any data that would cause concern for parents. If they had, notices would have gone home to all Paterson residents. • Under current regulations Paterson Public Schools testing for lead is strictly voluntary according to the guidelines set forth by the EPA • EPA developed a recommendation called the 3Ts (Training, Testing, and Telling) to encourage schools and child care centers to test for lead in drinking water. Paterson Public Schools Voluntary Testing Prior to the Flint, Michigan incident bringing water quality into the mainstream, Paterson Public Schools voluntarily conducted its own district-wide water quality testing using an independent laboratory. The testing found a large percentage of the schools’ outlets are within or well below the threshold limit (per EPA guidelines). Any outlets/water fountains that were above the threshold were placed out of service until repairs were made and retesting conducted. • The Total number of voluntary water tests conducted by the Paterson Public Schools last school year and to date this school year is 1,620.* • In the 2014/15 school year out of 850 voluntary tests, there were 37 water fountains/faucets exceeded the 15 ppb. • In the 2015/16 school year out of 770 voluntary tests conducted to date*, 48 water fountains/faucets exceeded 15 ppb. Why does it take so long to test all the water in the school district? “First draw” samples must be collected after the water has had time to sit in the pipes overnight. The collection of water samples is being done by trained personnel from an independent certified laboratory and technical resources are limited. * As of 5-5-16 ROUTINE ANNUAL WATER QUALITY SAMPLING IN PROGRESS DO NOT TURN ON OR USE THIS WATER OUTLET UNTIL THE TEST HAS BEEN COMPLETED on or about / /2016 We apologize for the Inconvenience Please contact your Chief Custodian or Sector Supervisor with any questions or concerns. Sources of lead exposure include: Routes of Lead into the body: Sources of lead in water: • ingestion of lead-based paint chips and dust • inhalation of lead dust in the air • ingestion of lead in drinking water • Imported candies, cosmetics, toys, and other products may also contain lead • lead based solder • brass and chrome-plated faucets • lead pipe and pipe fittings Experts now use a reference level of 5 micrograms per deciliter to identify children with blood lead levels that are much higher than most children’s levels. This new level is based on the U.S. population of children ages 1-5 years who are in the highest 2.5% of children when tested for lead in their blood. Lead in drinking water usually comes from water distribution lines or household/school plumbing and fixtures rather than the water source: • • • • • • If the water is too corrosive, it can cause lead to leach out of the plumbing materials and enter the drinking water. The potential for leaching lead into the water in our schools increases the longer the water is in contact with the plumbing components. School water supplies tend to have extended periods of no water use (e.g., overnight, weekends, holidays and summer) that increase the likelihood of elevated lead levels at the tap. We have put into place a water flushing program that requires running the water after extended periods of low usage. Typically, drinking water alone has not been associated with elevated blood lead levels. Combined with other sources, however, the amount of lead from drinking water may be enough to increase the chances of harmful health effects. Many factors influence corrosion and leaching of lead into water: The corrosion of lead tends to occur more frequently in: – "Soft" water (water that lathers soap easily) – Acidic (low pH*) water Other factors that may contribute to the corrosion potential of the water include: – – – – – – – Water velocity (flow rate in the pipes) Temperature (hot water dissolves lead faster) Alkalinity (high pH*) Chlorine levels The age and condition of plumbing The amount of time water is in contact with plumbing Electrical grounding and bonding *A pH value is a number from 1 to 14, with 7 as the middle (neutral) point. Values below 7 indicate acidity which increases as the number decreases, 1 being the most acidic. Values above 7 indicate alkalinity which increases as the number increases, 14 being the most alkaline. Improving Health Statics in NJ • New Jersey is one of 17 states that require universal lead screening of all children at ages 1 and 2. • Other states target screening only to children at increased risk for lead exposure. New Jersey’s approach is far more protective. • More than 205,600 children were screened for lead in 2014. And the number of children with elevated blood lead levels has dramatically declined over the past 20 years. • There were 27,295 cases in 2000 compared to 3,426 in 2014. That is a public health success story. Why is New Jersey concerned about lead poisoning? • New Jersey has some of the oldest homes in the United States. • One in three homes was built before 1978. • Lead-based paint was only banned in 1978. • Old homes means old paint. Old paint that is chipping and peeling is a source of lead exposure, so is the dust created when renovating or remodeling. Removing Lead-Based Paint How do I know if there is lead-based paint on or in my house? You can assume that any house built before 1978 has lead-based paint, unless you know that all the old paint was removed some time in the past. Renters • Federal law requires that before signing a lease for housing built before 1978, renters must receive the following from your landlord: – An EPA-approved information pamphlet on identifying and controlling lead-based paint hazards. – Any known information concerning the presence of lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards in the home or building. • For multi-unit buildings, this requirement includes records and reports concerning common areas and other units when such information was obtained as a result of a building-wide evaluation. – An attachment to the contract, or language inserted in the contract, that includes a "Lead Warning Statement" and confirms that the seller has complied with all notification requirements. – If you have a concern, then ask your landlord to get a lead hazard inspection from a certified inspector before signing your lease. Why be concerned about lead poisoning? • Although children 6 to 29 months old are at highest risk for lead poisoning, the effects may not appear until children start school. – The effects may include: • • • • • • • • hyperactivity aggression attention deficits lowered intelligence decreased hand-eye coordination longer reaction times speech and hearing problems, difficulty acquiring language skills. Paterson Public Schools recently trained and certified 15 additional staff as Certified Lead Renovators PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THIS WATER SOURCE HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY TURNED OFF ONCE REPAIRS AND WATER QUALITY TESTING ARE COMPLETED IT WILL BE PUT BACK INTO SERVICE on or about / /2016 We Apologize for the Inconvenience Please contact your Chief Custodian or Sector Supervisor with any questions or concerns. CPSC Water Coolers with Lead–Lined Tanks The following list of model numbers represents all of the drinking water coolers with lead lined tanks that have been identified to date. The models listed here were selected because one or more of the units in that model series have been tested and found to have lead-lined tanks. These six models are made by the Halsey Taylor Company: • • • • • • WM 8A WT 8A GC10A CRGC10A RWM13A GC5A Other Water Coolers Containing Lead EBCO Manufacturing Company EBCO has identified all pressure bubbler water coolers with shipping dates from 1962 through 1977 as having a bubbler valve containing lead, as defined by the LCCA. The units contain a single 50-50 tin-lead solder joint on the bubbler valve. Model numbers for those coolers in this category were not available. The following EBCO models of pressure bubbler coolers produced from 1978 through 1981 contain one 50-50 tin-lead solder joint each: CP3 DP7SM DPM8H CP10-50 DP10F DP16M DP20-50 CP3H DP7S DP13A 13P DP7WM DP7M DP3RH EP10F DP13M-60 DP14A-50/60 CP10 CP5M DP12N DP20 DP14S DPM8 DP8AH DP5F DP15M C10E CP3-50 DP5S DP5M 7P DP13SM DP13M DP3R EP5F CP3M DP13A-50 CP5 DP13S PX-10 13PL DP7WMD DP7MH DP8A WTC10 DP14M DP10X DP15MW DP15W Pressure bubbler water coolers manufactured by EBCO and marketed under the “Oasis” and “Kelvinator” brand names with the identified model numbers have been distributed in the U.S. In addition, EBCO indicated that “Aquarius” pressure bubbler water coolers are manufactured for distribution in foreign countries, including Canada. Although unlikely, it is conceivable that an “Aquarius “ cooler with one of the model numbers listed above could have been transported into the U.S. Halsey Taylor Company Halsey Taylor reports using lead solder in these models of water cooler manufactured between 1978 and the last week of 1987. WMA-1 SCWT/SCWT-A, SWA-1 DC/DHC-1, S3/5/10D BFC-4F/7F/4FS/7FS, S300/500/1000D In addition to these Halsey Taylor models, Halsey Taylor indicates that the following Haws brand coolers manufactured for Haws by Halsey Taylor from November 1984 through December 18, 1987, are not lead free because they contain two tin-lead solder joints. The model designations for these coolers are: HC8WT HC14W HCBF7D HC8WTH HC4F HCBF7HO HC14WT HC4FH HWC7 HC14WTH HC8F HWC7D HC14WL HC8FH HC2F HC16WT HC14F HC2FH HC4W HC14FH HC5F HC6W HC14FL HC10F HC8W HCBF7 NOTE: A number of water coolers have been deleted from the list identifying them as not lead free. For information about these water coolers and others, refer to the January 18, 1990 Federal Register notice. Lead Reduction Water Filters are Being Installed as Required to bring exceedances into compliance Filter at base of riser to address fountains on all floors above • PROPLUS® DRINKING FOUNTAIN CONVERSION KIT FOR HALSEY-TAYLOR • Kit with #228882 H&H bubbler head & #256511 lead-free shank • For Halsey-Taylor, American Standard, Kohler • Kit consists of 1 each of the following items: straight supply valve, supply tube, rosette, bubbler head, completed, S.S. faucet hole cover, shank, mounting hardware Fountains being considered Fill Water Bottle’s & has Bubbler • ELKAY FILTERED ENHANCED EZH20® BOTTLE FILLING STATION WITH SINGLE ADA COOLER, LIGHT GRAY • The Elkay EZH20 Bottle Filling Station delivers a clean quick water bottle fill and enhances sustainability by minimizing our dependency on disposable plastic bottles Complete cooler and bottle filling station in a consolidated space saving ADA compliant design Integrated look combines our Green Ticker™ and filter status lights Features 3000 gallon capacity WaterSentry® Plus filtration with visual LED Filter Monitor to indicate when replacement is necessary LED light showcases the bottle filling area so you know when a bottle is full Automatic filter reset status-swap out your filter and the unit resets itself automatically • • • • STANDARD FEATURES Water Sentry® Plus 3000gallon capacity Filtration System, certified to NSF/ANSI 42 & 53 (Lead, Class 1 Particulate, Chlorine, Taste & Odor) • Integrated Silver Ion Antimicrobial Protection in key areas • ELKAY FILTERED ENHANCED EZH20® BOTTLE FILLING STATION WITH SINGLE ADA COOLER, LIGHT GRAY Installed at new PS 16 Fountains being considered are installed in new PS - 16 Fill Water Bottle’s & has Bubbler Labels to be Installed on ALL water sources that have not been tested Levels in Paterson to date: • ND- 15 ppb = 722 sink/fountain • 16-50 ppb = 27 sink/fountain • 51-100 ppb = 7 sink/fountain • 101-150 ppb = 6 sink/fountain • 151-250 ppb = 2 sink/fountain • 251-350 ppb = 2 sink/fountain • 351-625 ppb = 2 sink/fountain • 626-1000 ppb = 1 sink • 1001-6600 ppb = 1 sink What is 1 ppb Equivalent to? 1 Blade of Grass on a Football Field 1 second in nearly 32 years 1 penny in $1,000,000.00 1 drop of water in a tanker truck The New York Times “Schools Nationwide Still Grapple With Lead in Water” • Nicolaus Copernicus Elementary, a 98-year-old school building in Jersey City, N.J., where 16 of 19 water fountains and coolers were found to have lead levels higher than permissible. The Los Angeles Unified School District allotted $19.8 million in September to retrofit or remove its 48,000 drinking fountains to erase a small but tenacious lead threat. New Jersey Department of Education commissioner David C. Hespe, left, and acting health commissioner Cathleen Bennett, right, listen as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, center, announces that he will require all of the state's schools to test for lead in water starting next school year, May 2, 2016, in Trenton, N.J. “Christie calls for lead hazard testing in water at all NJ public schools” Gov. Chris Christie on Monday announced new plans to mandate lead hazard testing in all schools and provide $10 million to cover the cost. • The new mandate will apply to approximately 3,000 public and charter school facilities beginning in the next school year, though the greatest danger is from lead pipes in old school buildings. • Christie also said schools would require to publicly post all test results and immediately notify parents if testing shows elevated levels of lead. • Schools also must provide parents with a description of any steps the school is taking to ensure safe drinking water will be made available to students. ?