Lead found in Blair's water

Elevated levels of lead were found in Blair's drinking water, according to the latest tests conducted by MCPS. A letter written by Principal Phillip Gainous that will be sent home with students today, Dec. 17, detailed the results of the testing.

According to the letter, over half of the sources tested at Blair revealed levels of lead surpassing the 20 parts per billion (ppb) limit set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Blair's drinking water tested with levels as high as 2,310 ppb, although the maximum amount of lead found in hallway water coolers was only 1.2 ppb.

In the letter, Gainous stated that flushing fountains to prevent lead intake will continue to follow the protocol developed by MCPS in which water fountains are flushed for 15 minutes and kitchen faucets are flushed for 60 seconds every four hours.

Questions about the lead situation can be directed to either Gainous or the school nurse.

The following is a copy of the letter sent out by Gainous to students.

Dear Students, Parents and Staff:

Montgomery Blair High School has been tested for possible elevated levels of lead in school drinking water. Samples of the drinking water were tested by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) and analyzed by the Montgomery County Health Department and the school system. The release of the test findings were delayed until now because of a significant backlog in the laboratory facilities at WSSC.

We have been informed that the drinking water tests for our school reveal some elevated levels of lead. Of the 455 samples taken, elevated levels of lead were found in 237 samples (52 percent). The highest concentration was 2309.5 parts per billion (ppb), compared to a standard of no more than 20 ppb. The lowest concentration was 0.2 ppb, and the median amount among all of the samples was 22.5 ppb. The highest sample from a hallway water cooler was 1.2 ppb.

As you know, the Montgomery County Public Schools has instituted a comprehensive program to ensure the safety of the drinking water at our school. These safeguards were developed with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, consistent with guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). All designated sources of drinking water are being flushed based on the following protocol: electric water coolers for 15 minutes every four hours, and water bubblers and kitchen faucets for 60 seconds every four hours. The flushing begins before children arrive for school in the morning.

Our school will continue to follow the water safeguards until further notice. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Questions can also be directed to our school health nurse.

Sincerely,
Phillip F. Gainous
Principal