ALERT: November 6, 2017

Dear School Nurse,

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is working with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to heighten awareness of the importance of reducing and preventing exposure to lead and high levels of copper, particularly by pregnant women, infants, and young children. In support of this effort we wanted to let you know that the Assistance Program for Lead in School Drinking Water for the 2017/2018 school year has started accepting applications from public schools and childcare facilities that did not previously participate in the Program. This program was launched in April 2016 by Governor Charlie Baker and State Treasurer Deb Goldberg to help Massachusetts public schools voluntarily test for lead and copper in drinking water. As part of this program, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), University of Massachusetts – Amherst, and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) will provide technical assistance to public schools and childcare facilities to establish a lead and copper in drinking water program. Technical assistance will include: helping public schools and childcare facilities to establish a program, provide lab analysis of samples taken at taps and water fountains used for drinking and cooking, and assist with the identification of fixtures with lead and copper concentrations over Massachusetts’ lead and copper Action Levels and to provide guidance on possible remedial actions. More information about the program can be found at http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/water/drinking/testing-assistance-for-lead-in-school-drinking-water.html.

Public health fact sheets on lead and copper in school drinking water are attached (as lead and copper are often tested at the same time). These fact sheets are also available at DPH’s website at: www.mass.gov/dph/lead-sources. DPH encourages you to provide these fact sheets to those who may have questions about the health risks associated with lead or high levels of copper in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. DPH staff are available to assist your office with risk communication as well as answer health-related questions that you, your staff, students, or parents/guardians may have related to potential exposure to lead and high levels of copper in drinking water. Please feel free to contact the DPH Bureau of Environmental Health at 617-624-5757 for assistance with any health-related questions or concerns.

Jessica Burkhamer

Environmental Analyst
Community Assessment Program
Bureau of Environmental Health
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
250 Washington Street, 7th Floor
Boston, MA 02108

Phone: (617) 624-5757
Fax: (617) 624-5777
jessica.burkhamer@state.ma.us
www.mass.gov/dph/environmental_health

DOCUMENTS

Lead_in_School_Drinking_Water_FAQ_spanish
Lead in School Drinking Water FAQ
Copper_in_Drinking_Water_FAQ_05-2017-spanish
Copper in School Drinking Water FAQ