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SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY Lead found in Ed-Psych building at SOU Testing shows metal is localized in two fountains that have been removed, officials say Comment By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 1, 2016 at 5:42 PM By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 1, 2016 at 5:42 PM Lead found in White City school faucet --> Elevated levels of lead were found in water from one of the 36 faucets tested last month in the Eagle Point School District, officials announced Thursday. Results show that the water from a s... » Read more X Lead found in White City school faucet Elevated levels of lead were found in water from one of the 36 faucets tested last month in the Eagle Point School District, officials announced Thursday. Results show that the water from a sink faucet in the health room at Table Rock Elementary School in White City contained 34.6 parts per billion — more than twice the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s regulatory limit of 15 parts per billion. Allen Barber, the district’s human resources director, said in an email that the district will retest the faucet and then replace it if the excessive level remains. He said it wasn't a faucet "kids were using to drink out of." “We believe that the lead levels in this particular faucet are localized to this fixture,” he said, later adding that the district would do more extensive testing at the school this summer to make sure there are no other issues. The district took water samples from faucets districtwide, including nine at Table Rock Elementary. In addition to the faucet in the health room, the district will replace six others whose water, although below the EPA threshold, had the highest lead content. » Social News Southern Oregon University has begun testing its water for lead levels and found that two fountains in the Education-Psychology Building showed levels above safety standards. The two fountains have been removed, along with a sink in the preschool area in the same building that showed an elevated level but was still within safety standards outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency, said Drew Gilliland, SOU director of facilities, management and planning. SOU has received no complaints about its water, but the university decided to begin testing following news reports of lead in water supplies nationwide, said SOU spokesman Ryan Brown. Water from one of the drinking fountains in the Ed-Psych building tested at 39.9 parts per billion, more than twice the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s regulatory limit of 15 parts per billion for public water systems. The other fountain tested at 22.8 ppb. Gilliland said the lead probably came from the shutoff valve where the water comes into the two fountains, as none of the other 15 spots tested in the building showed levels above EPA recommendations. The fountains had older fixtures, he said. “If it were a problem with the water supply, it would show up all over the campus, and it doesn’t,” Brown said. He said the issue will be easily resolved and with little expense. No parents of children in the preschool, located there for many decades, have complained, said Brown. “We haven’t heard of any specific concerns. We, as a university, if anything comes up, are concerned and that’s why we’re being proactive,” he said. SOU is examining all water systems in buildings constructed before 2000 and will have any issues resolved by the start of fall term in September, Brown said. Lead generally was not used in water pipes after 2000, he said. “As more comprehensive testing of campus buildings proceeds throughout the summer, any results indicating lead levels beyond the EPA standard will be immediately communicated to the campus community,” Brown said in a release. “Any lead fixtures or pipes that are found will be replaced and water will continue to be monitored to ensure the health and safety of the campus community. “Southern Oregon University gets its water from the City of Ashland, which recently conducted tests for lead and found no concerns.” Brown said the investigation was triggered by the water crisis in Flint, Mich., where lead levels were found in the hundreds, even thousands, parts per billion in some homes. Five thousand parts per billion is considered toxic waste. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta says 4 million households with children are exposed to high levels of lead nationwide. “No safe blood lead level in children has been identified,” its website notes, but “there are approximately half a million U.S. children ages 1-5 with blood lead levels above 5 micrograms per deciliter, the reference level at which CDC recommends public health actions be initiated." Children are especially vulnerable because their brains are developing and symptoms of lead poisoning don’t show up until later in life, Gilliland said. SOU screened first where there are children: the Ed-Psych Childcare Center, which is for kids of staff and faculty, and the Student Housing Center, where readings were on the low end of safe levels, he said. Lead is naturally occurring in the environment, so very low levels are to be expected in any water, he noted. Symptoms of lead poisoning in children are developmental delay, learning difficulties, weight loss, fatigue and hearing loss. In adults, it’s high blood pressure, joint pain, decline in mental functioning, headache, moodiness and memory loss, according to the Mayo Clinic website. Reach Ashland freelance writer John Darling at [email protected]. By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 1, 2016 at 5:42 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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