District 87 Lead in 4 School Buildings

The health department offers advice for parents

<<lauren langer>>some parents in bloomington are concerned-- after 4 schools in district 87 were found to have elevated levels of lead.<<paul cicchini>>alyssa paldo has been following this developing story.she joins us now with more.alyssa?<<alyssa paldo>> yes, the district's superintendent confirmed 8 water sources in those 4 schools-- had lead levels above the state's threshold.

The discovery made after new state law is put in place requiring this type of testing--created following the water crisis in flint michigan.

<<(a new school year brings about new concerns at four schools in district 87.

This after water at sheridan ... bent ... oakland ... and irving elementary schools was found to have higher than allowable levels of lead.

A spokesperson for the illinois department of public health says this testing ... is part of new legislation rolled out this year requiring schools and daycares to test for lead contamination in the water.

8 water sources in four of those schools were found to have lead levels above the state's threshold of 5 parts per billion, which is stricter than the federal government's threshold of 15 parts per billion.

But the illinois department of public health says there is no safe level of lead in the water.

Mary counts is a public health nurse at the mclean county health department.

She says exposure to lead is dangerous ... and it's often silent.( mary counts/public health nurse "most kids do not have any symptoms whatsoever that's why it's so important that if you do suspect there is exposure to lead in whatever form that you follow up with your doctor.") lead exposure poses the greatest risk for young children.( mary counts/public health nurse "there is potential for learning delays, developmental issues, some exposure might cause some abdominal pain, irritability, nausea, vomiting.") the district declined our request for further comment friday but did say water has been shut off at the sources in question ... fixtures are being replaced ... filters are being added and the water will be retested.

As for parents that have concerns ... the health department says this ...( mary counts "if they're nervous that their son or daughter has been exposed i would say follow up with their physician."))>> <<alyssa paldo>>according to the department of public health--if a result is above 5 parts per billion ...the school is required to provide direct communication with parentsalthough all sources which test positive for any amount of lead in a school... are required to be addressed by the district.

You can get your child tested at your pediatrician's office or at the mclean county health