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Shockingly high results from recent lead testing done by Bangor Public Schools has sparked concern from local school officials and parents. Prompted by legislation passed last year requiring all schools to test their water for lead, Bangor is one of the first districts across the state to complete testing and announce their results.
All 10 of the Bangor schools tested came back with results reporting lead in the water, including one tap showing readings up to 375 times greater than the new state standard. While still lacking comprehensive data across the state, this first wave of testing confirms the pervasiveness of lead contamination in our schools.
Because exposure to lead at any level can have extremely detrimental effects, Bangor Public Schools should respond to this health threat right away. Due to the variability of testing and the ultimate risk of contamination, the district should proactively replace all fountains with hydration stations equipped with filters that remove lead. This solution eliminates one common source of lead (fountains) and captures lead coming from plumbing or pipes. And, with federal funding flowing like never before, now is the time to seize the opportunity to make our schools safe for our children, today and for the years to come.
Julia Geskey
Bangor