Hi all…tucked away on page 11 in this ‘Pediatrics’ journal Policy Statement is a recommendation by the American Pediatric Society that: “State and local governments should take steps to ensure that water fountains in schools do not exceed water lead concentrations of 1 ppb (1 µg/L).” It seems this is attracting media attention south of the border.

It appears as if the article can be freely downloaded at: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/early/2016/06/16/peds.2016-1493.full.pdf

Bill

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Prevention of Childhood Lead Toxicity

Policy Statement COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

PEDIATRICS Volume 138 , number 1 , July 2016

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2016/06/16/peds.2016-1493

Abstract:

“Blood lead concentrations have decreased dramatically in US children abstract over the past 4 decades, but too many children still live in housing with deteriorated lead-based paint and are at risk for lead exposure with resulting lead-associated cognitive impairment and behavioral problems. Evidence continues to accrue that commonly encountered blood lead concentrations, even those below 5 µg/dL (50 ppb), impair cognition; there is no identified threshold or safe level of lead in blood. From 2007 to 2010, approximately 2.6% of preschool children in the United States had a blood lead concentration ≥5 µg/dL (≥50 ppb), which represents about 535 000 US children 1 to 5 years of age. Evidence-based guidance is available for managing increased lead exposure in children, and reducing sources of lead in the environment, including lead in housing, soil, water, and consumer products, has been shown to be cost-beneficial. Primary prevention should be the focus of policy on childhood lead toxicity.”