Goal: Convince local and state leaders to protect schoolchildren from lead exposure.

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Medical experts estimate that more than 24 million American kids will lose IQ points due to lead exposure. Our research finds many of these kids will be exposed to lead in their schools’ drinking water. That’s why we’re working to Get The Lead Out.

lead map
Highly Toxic, Especially For Children

The crisis that began unfolding in Flint, Mich., in 2014 provided a tragic reminder of the dangers of lead exposure. The drinking water of an entire city had been contaminated with lead. More than 8,000 children under the age of six drank lead-contaminated water.

Now we know this toxic threat extends well beyond Flint.

Even the limited available data shows drinking water laced with lead at schools and early childhood programs across the country, in big cities but also in suburban and rural communities. Lead is so toxic that experts recommend a health standard of 1 part per billion. One drinking water fountain at Joseph A. Simas elementary school in Hanford, CA found lead at 2,000 ppb, or two thousand times the recommended health standard. Coyote Ridge Elementary in Roseville, CA reported lead at 1100 ppb in one outlet. St Theresa's school in Oakland repoted 2000 ppb in one classroom water fountain. Schools report that these outlets have been addressed, but most schools have still only tested 5 outlets, out of dozens currently in use. 

In all likelihood, these confirmed cases only scratch the surface of this problem. Most schools have at least some lead in their pipes, plumbing or fixtures. And where there is lead, there is risk of contamination.

Get The Lead Out

The only way to ensure safe drinking water for our children is to “get the lead out” of our schools and pre-schools. This involves proactively removing lead-bearing parts from schools’ drinking water systems—from service lines to faucets and fixtures—and installing filters certified to remove lead at every tap used for drinking or cooking.

These steps cost money, but our children's health is worth it. To convince state and local leaders to act, we’re running a joint campaign with Environment America to raise awareness, especially among parents and parent-teacher associations; doctors, nurses and other healthcare givers; and elected officials themselves.

CALPIRG worked with San Diego Unified, Oakland Unified and Los Angeles Unified to get lead free drinking water throughout the schools. 

In the meantime, untold numbers of kids are going to school and drinking water with lead in it. When we get lead out of a child’s water, we make that child’s future brighter and healthier. That’s something worth paying for.

WHAT YOU CAN DO
Get The Lead Out Of Our Schools

Contact your school and ask whether it has lead pipes or plumbing. Ask if the water has been tested for lead and to see all the results. Sometimes schools only report levels of lead in water above 15 parts per billion. But there is no safe level of lead in drinking water, especially for our children.

In addition, our national network is calling on states to “get the lead out” of schools' drinking water. Please urge our governor to take strong action to protect our children’s health.

TAKE ACTION
Lead Free Schools Action Toolkit
Back to School Action Toolkit
Toolkit for parents, teachers and community members who want to work to get out the lead in school drinking water.
Sacar el Plomo Herramientas para el regreso a la escuela
Top photo: Lisa F. Young / Shutterstock
Find out more
REPORT: GET THE LEAD OUT (2019)
Review Latest Testing Results posted by the State of California
Water Districts were required to test five drinking water outlets at California schools by July 2019. They only had to report when lead was found above 5 ppb, even though there is no safe level of lead.