This week, Louis and John explore issues raised by Tainted Taps, an EdSource special report on the health threat from high levels of lead found in faucets and drinking fountains in some California school buildings. The state is testing water in schools under a new state law, with some eye-opening results.
Louis and John talk with EdSource reporter Nico Savidge, who gives an overview of the series, and with Dr. Jennifer Lowry, the chair of American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on Environmental Health and an expert on the effects of lead exposure on children. She argues that the state and federal standards for lead content in drinking water should be lowered.
For background:
- Index and overview of Tainted Taps
- Gaps in California law requiring schools to test for lead could leave children at risk
- Lead problems in water linger at Los Angeles schools, despite years of testing and repairs
- Under local pressure, California school districts adopt lower lead limits for water
- Interactive Map: Lead levels found in California schools’ drinking water
- Search lead test results in California school water
The EdSource team that produced the report were reporter Nico Savidge, database reporter Daniel Willis, graphic artist Sunny Xie, web designer Justin Allen and editor Rose Ciotta.