Working Together to Reduce Lead Exposure

This week, from October 20-26, we are celebrating National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) and National Chemistry Week (NCW). In recognition of these important events, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is proud to spotlight the collaboration between the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) and the Public Health Chemistry Department at the State Laboratory Services. Together, they are working to reduce lead exposure in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities to ensure a safer environment for our children.

Testing water in schools is important because children spend a significant portion of their days in these facilities. Lead can contaminate drinking water through fixtures and piping in a school, particularly in older buildings. Testing the water at each outlet is the only sure way to find out if the water contains too much lead.

With federal funding from the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, ADHS launched a voluntary program: Lead Testing in Drinking Water at Arizona Schools and Childcare Facilities in 2021. This initiative offers eligible schools and childcare facilities free water lead testing, training and technical support, and remediation resources.

The Chemistry Department uses its expertise in analytical chemistry to accurately test water samples for lead contamination, ensuring accurate and reliable results. This helps schools and childcare facilities identify and address potential lead hazards effectively. This partnership highlights how chemistry safeguards our health and aligns with the goals of NLPPW, which emphasizes the importance of preventing lead exposure and protecting our children.

So far, the CLPPP has collected more than 3,000 drinking water samples from 221 charter schools, 47 public schools, and 109 childcare facilities. In addition to helping schools reduce the lead in their drinking water, the CLPPP is promoting lead poisoning prevention and reminding parents that water is not the only source of lead.

In Arizona, the most common sources of lead includes lead-based paint in houses built before 1978, and some household products including antique or imported toys, antique furniture, imported spices and candies, home remedies, and lead-glazed pottery used for cooking.

There are several things families can do to reduce potential lead exposure:

Check your home for items that may contain lead. Wash your children’s hands often, especially after playing outside and before eating.
If your work or hobby involves working with lead, change clothes and shower before entering the home. Wash clothes separately. Leave shoes/boots outside or in the garage to avoid bringing in soil and dust.
Mop hard floors and wet-wipe surfaces to contain lead dust. Avoid sweeping or dry dusting.
Hire an Environmental Protection Agency-certified firm when renovating or repairing pre-1978 homes. EPA-certified firms are trained and certified to work lead-safe. Find a list of certified contractors on the EPA website.

Let’s work together to keep our children safe and healthy! Schools and childcare facilities can participate in free water testing to ensure safe drinking water and protect children from lead exposure. Families can also use our tips to reduce lead risks at home. Together, we can make a difference in Arizona children’s future.

About the Author: Kathryn Wangsness

Kathryn Wangsness, MHA, is the Assistant Bureau Chief for the Bureau of State Laboratory Services (ASPHL) at the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). Kathryn has been part of the ADHS team since 1997 working as a scientist, certification officer, office chief and now bureau chief over the Offices of Chemistry, Laboratory Licensure and Certification, and Support Services and Operations. She earned her Masters of Health Administration from the University of Phoenix and her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry with an emphasis in Biochemistry from Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. Kathryn joined ADHS in 1997 as a chemist analyzing water samples for inorganic parameters. In 2001, she accepted a position as a Blood Alcohol consultant, which lasted two years, and concurrently as a Federal/State Laboratory Licensure Surveyor in the Office of Laboratory Services. She is an approved EPA certification officer for inspecting inorganics, organics, and microbiology compliance testing in drinking water laboratories. In 2006, she accepted the position of quality assurance manager. In 2008, Kathryn became the Office Chief for the Office of Laboratory Services. She is an alumnus of the APHL Emerging Leader Program and participates in the Emerging Leader Alumni Network (ELAN). She has been trained in continuous quality improvement strategies such as Lean and Six Sigma. She has assisted the laboratory in becoming ISO/IEC 17025 accredited for food and forensic testing. Kathryn is an active participant in APHL and has served as a member of the Laboratory Systems and Standards Committee from 2021 to present, as a member and as chair the last three years, of the Environmental Laboratory Science Committee from 2009 to 2021, as Chair of the Governmental Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Subcommittee from 2009 to 2016, has participated in numerous workgroups, Co-chaired the Public Health Laboratory Competencies workgroups for surveillance and communication from 2012 to 2014, and chaired the Data Acceptance Workgroup.