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Should NH order lead testing of all school water systems?

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Legislators in New Jersey are sponsoring legislation that would require schools to test drinking water supplies for lead contamination after nearly half of public school buildings in Newark were shown to have lead-contaminated water.

Lead consumption has been linked to behavioral problems, lowered IQ, and cognitive disability in young children.

EPA rules require that schools be connected to a water supply that is regularly tested for lead, but do not necessarily require testing within the school itself. In many cases, lead contamination has been shown to come from on-site sources such as old pipes, solder, or drinking fountains.

There is currently no effort in NH to require schools to test for lead in water supplies. However, earlier this week, it was reported that the water system for the University of New Hampshire showed levels of lead in excess of EPA limits. Other schools in the state, such as Derry Memorial Elementary, have also detected lead in their water.

Supporters of the move argue it constitutes a sensible precautionary measure to ensure that children are not being exposed to harmful levels of lead.

Opponents raise concerns about the cost of the tests and the expanded administration needed to oversee them. They also contend that the state would be better served focusing its attention on lead-based paint in older houses, a more dangerous potential source of lead contamination.

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