vyEPA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Pacific Southwest / Region 9
Testing for Lead in
Tribal School Drinking Water
Water Division
Tribal Water Section • February 2018
75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
866-EPA-WEST • www.epa.gov/region9
HELP PREVENT CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
is providing free analysis of lead in drinking water in
schools and other children's facilities on tribal lands
in the Pacific Southwest. We need your help to
collect samples!
Even low levels of lead in children can result in
negative health effects, such as:
Behavior and learning problems
Lower IQ and hyperactivity
Slowed growth
Hearing problems
Anemia
EPA recommends ALL facilities serving drinking water
to children get sampled for lead.
The Lead in Tribal School Drinking Water Project is a
voluntary effort to work with tribal governments,
schools, and water utilities to identify children's facilities
on EPA Region 9 tribal lands that have a potential for
lead in drinking water. The project includes lab analysis
for facilities not typically sampled to determine lead
concentrations in drinking water and to provide educa-
tion and assistance to reduce exposure.
FREE lead in drinking water analysis is provided to
facilities that meet the following criteria:
•	Serve drinking water on a regular basis to children
•	Do NOT already get sampled - i.e., schools that serve
as their own public water system (PWS)
•	Located on tribal lands in EPA Region 9
•	Llave leadership support for participation
What is lead? Lead is a naturally occurring, toxic metal
used for years in products found in and around homes.
How does lead get into water? Lead can enter the water
system through the corrosion of plumbing systems that
contain lead.
How can my child be exposed to lead? One can be
exposed by drinking water with lead or swallowing or
breathing lead particles (e.g., paint or dust).
How do I know if my child has lead poisoning? The
only way to know if a person has elevated blood lead
levels is to get tested by a doctor or at a local health cen-
ter. Children at risk of exposure to lead should be tested.
Is it safe to wash our hands in lead contaminated
water? Yes. Washing hands, cleaning, and bathing
should be safe for you and your children, even if the
water contains lead over EPA's action level. LIuman skin
does not absorb lead in water.
Are schools required to sample lead in drinking water?
There are no federal regulations that require schools to
sample for lead in drinking water.
For more information, contact:
Jackie Menghrajani, EPA Region 9
menghrarani.iacquelyn@epa.gov
(415)972-3259

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