The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently issued a joint letter to governors to encourage state and local governments to use federal funding to reduce and remove lead in drinking water in early care and education settings, like elementary schools and daycare facilities.
In the letter, the EPA and HHS state, “Even low levels of lead in children can lead to anemia, behavior and learning problems, and other concerns. Therefore, it is critical that states focus their coordinated efforts in places where our nation’s children spend a great deal of their time — early childhood settings.” The letter also highlights several funding sources that can help schools and daycare facilities test for and remediate lead.
States can also take administrative measures to support the health and safety of children in early care and education settings by establishing or strengthening licensing and monitoring requirements or improving blood lead screening programs. In addition, states can provide technical assistance and resources to meet lead testing and remediation requirements, including use of the EPA 3Ts (training, testing, and taking action) voluntary program to help schools and child care facilities make progress on reducing lead in drinking water.
Learn more by visiting EPA WIIN Grant: Voluntary School and Child Care Lead Testing and Reduction Grant Program and HHS Strategy Resources to Support Access to Safe and Healthy Early Care and Education Facilities.