The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE), in cooperation with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), has released lead sampling data from its grant program that sampled drinking water in licensed child care facilities, and public preschools and elementary schools across the state.

The lead sampling data can be found on DHHS’s website: https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Lead-Data.aspx.

Grant funds for this sampling event are still available and have been expanded to include all schools and daycares – public or private – and all grades. Funding comes from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act grant and is used by NDEE/DHHS to provide sample kits and laboratory analysis of drinking water samples from schools and childcare facilities.

This program focuses on populations that are most at-risk for lead exposure and prioritizes facilities that:

· Serve children 6 years old and younger;
· Are preschools, elementary schools and child care facilities in underserved and low-income communities; and
· Were built before 1988.

The testing is free of charge and samples can be collected by anyone – parents, school staff, students or any individual interested in protecting children from lead exposure.

Participating local health departments are working with NDEE/DHHS to oversee and coordinate the program in their areas. These departments can also help schools and facilities that find lead in their drinking water identify corrective actions to address the source of contamination.

Schools and facilities that wish to sample their drinking water should contact their local health department first. A map of local health departments is available at www.dhhs.ne.gov/lhd. If their health department is not participating, the school/facility may contact the NDEE Drinking Water Division at ndee.drinkingwater@nebraska.gov.

Childhood lead poisoning is preventable, so identifying sources of exposure is crucial. Childhood exposure to lead may be associated with hearing and speech impairments, learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, slowed growth and development, and adverse impacts to the developing nervous system. Children ages 6 and younger are the most vulnerable to the effects of lead exposure.

To ensure schools, child care facilities and parents can make informed decisions about children’s drinking water, the lead sampling data will be updated as more facilities participate and as more information is available.

If a school or facility does not qualify for the grant and still wishes to sample for lead, it can request a test kit by calling the Nebraska Environmental Public Health Lab at (402) 471-3935. The cost of a test kit is $19, plus shipping.