NEW JERSEY VS. WATER CONTAMINATIONThe Challenges Facing Our Schools and Our Community

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The Scope of the Problem

Americans are discovering just how widespread our water contamination woes really are. This is especially true in New Jersey, where water service lines and plumbing in households and schools are proving to have levels of lead contamination well beyond what was previously expected. Let’s look at the hazards of water contamination and what it means for our state.

In the U.S., 40% of the rivers and 46% of the lakes are polluted enough to be considered unhealthy for swimming, fishing or aquatic life.

Each year an estimated 1.2 trillion gallons of untreated sewage, storm water and industrial waste are dumped into U.S. waters.

The New York Times says there are 3,866 facilities that have received government permits to legally put pollutants into the state’s waterways

Over 286 million Americans are supplied with water from a community water system.

Only 8% of these water systems provide water to 82% of the U.S. population through large municipal water systems.

Most community water systems (78%) are supplied by groundwater, but more people (68%) using those systems are supplied by surface water (rivers and reservoirs).

General Water Contamination Facts

How Water Becomes Poisoned

Naturally occurring chemicals and minerals (arsenic, radon)

Local land use practices (pesticides, chemicals, animal feeding operations)

Malfunctioning wastewater treatment systems (sewer overflows)

Lead used in pipes and plumbing

Because of the health effects of lead in drinking water, lead is no longer used in plumbing. However, a large number of water service lines and household plumbing systems were built before laws were passed prohibiting the use of lead. It is these older systems that are causing contamination problems like the one in Flint, Michigan, and the many more here in New Jersey.

The Threat of Lead Poisoning

There are a startling number of developmental problems in children who are exposed to lead, including: Damage to the brain, nervous system and kidneys Slowed growth and development Learning and behavior problems (such as reduced IQ, ADHD,

juvenile delinquency and criminal behavior) Hearing and speech problems When the levels of lead are extremely high, seizures,

unconsciousness and possibly death

Health Effects of Lead Poisoning in Children

Other Symptoms of Lead Poisoning

The Mayo Clinic lists some symptoms of lead poisoning, many of which might be wrongly identified as being from another cause.

Irritability Loss of appetite Weight loss Sluggishness and fatigue Abdominal pain Nausea and vomiting Constipation Hearing loss

Due to the negative effects of lead on the development and the overall health of young people, the presence of lead in schools is a major concern for New Jersey parents. Studies and water tests have revealed that these fears are justified.

A Bridgewater school was found to have a faucet supplying water with lead levels ten times more than what the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers acceptable.

Bridgewater-Raritan Regional announced high lead levels were found at the John F. Kennedy Primary School and the Wade Administration Building. Water was shut off and filters will be installed, according to officials.

Water fountains in six public schools in Leonia tested positive for lead. Superintendent Joanne T. Megargee stated high lead levels were found in six of the 98 fountains tested.

New Jersey Schools and Contamination

New Jersey Schools and Contamination (continued)

High levels of lead and copper in the water from a sink in a staff room were found in a Princeton school.

The West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District announced high levels of lead in five schools: Village, Dutch and Maurice Hawk elementary schools, Grover Middle and High School South.

Hamilton school officials discovered lead contamination at a water fountain at Alexander elementary school and preliminary water test results showed high lead levels at two other schools: Greenwood and Morgan.

Newark found lead-contaminated water in at least thirty school buildings in March. Dozens of other schools across the state also have had similar discoveries.

NJ Advance Media surveyed state school systems on the issue of lead contamination (15 districts responded) and gained some insight from those in charge of local schools.

Some school districts have no record of water testing, so testing may never have actually been done.

Most respondents did no annual testing before tests were conducted this year. Some admitted they had no testing done in more than a decade, going as far back as 1993 in Montclair.

Many schools were built before 1986, when the use of lead in pipes was banned. Some districts stated they don’t know if there is lead or lead soldering in their schools’ pipes.

Most districts that responded stated they have multiple buildings that were built before the ban, dating as far back as the 1880s.

Every district that replied to the survey stated that since the news of the lead problem in Newark broke, tests have been done in recent weeks or will be done soon.

Testing in Public Schools

Testing Children for Lead Poisoning

Physicians normally use a blood test to determine if a child has a high level of lead in his or her system.

A small blood sample is taken from a finger prick or a vein.

Lead levels are measured in micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL).

If there is a level of 5 mcg/dL or greater, your child may have unsafe levels of lead in their blood and should have their blood tested periodically.

If the level is high (45 mcg/dL or higher), your child should be treated for lead poisoning.

Lead-containing pipes and solder could be removed from your home to prevent lead from entering the water.

Water can be chemically treated so it’s less corrosive and less likely to leach lead.

Local land use should be done with an eye toward preventing water pollution from farming, chemicals used on lawns and industrial pollution coming from businesses.

Wastewater treatment plants need to be able to handle the demand and not allow untreated sewage to be discharged.

How to Prevent Lead Contamination

Determining the Cause of Your Contamination

There are a number of test kits you can buy at your local home improvement store.

If you don’t want to go that route or the tests are inconclusive, call your local health department, discuss your concerns and ask how you can have your water tested.

If you’re using a municipal water supply, you can also call your water department to talk about water testing and the problems you’re having.

You can hire an independent laboratory that can test your water for contaminants.

If the water’s not safe to drink, can you still safely cook with it? Can you use it to bathe, wash clothes and dishes?

Does the contaminant pose an immediate threat or is the threat long-term exposure?

Would it be safe enough to simply let your water run for a time to flush out contaminated water sitting in pipes?

Can the water be filtered to make it safe? Would removal of existing pipes end the problem? Might the use of bottled water make the most sense

financially, if major work is needed?

Ask Authorities These Questions

If you believe your child has been injured due to exposure to lead in drinking water, call the Law Offices of James C. DeZao at 1-855-

729-7234

or fill out our contact form so we can talk about the situation, how the law may apply

and how you may be able to collect compensation for your child’s injuries.

Contact Us

dezaolaw.com |1-855-749-2694