The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a policy statement last month on lead exposure through all media, including drinking water sources. The statement, “Prevention of Childhood Lead Toxicity,” was developed by AAP’s Council on Environmental Health and provides background on the status of lead exposure in children, followed by numerous recommendations for achieving further reductions in blood lead levels.
The background discussion acknowledges the great strides that have been taken to reduce lead exposure of over the past several decades, but stresses the remaining health risks and urges continued vigilance to move towards a goal of zero lead exposure. Throughout the statement, lead exposure from drinking water sources is addressed alongside exposures from other media (i.e., paint, dust and soil) that have historically received greater attention in the public health community.
Recommendations from the policy statement are divided into two lists. The first is for “government” and includes calls for enhanced efforts by a variety of federal, state and local agencies to bolster programs and policies for education, outreach, testing and remediation related to lead. More specific to drinking water, recommendations call for a downward revision of allowable lead levels and, in a more precise suggestion, for states and local governments to “take steps to ensure that water fountains in schools do not exceed water lead concentrations of 1 ppb.” The second list, for pediatricians, health care providers and public health officials, provides recommendations related to enhanced testing, treatment, education and advocacy in an effort to reduce blood lead levels.