Mayor Ras J. Baraka Issues Statement Regarding Lead Level Revelations In Public Schools
Newark, New Jersey Press Release:
MAYOR RAS J. BARAKA STATEMENT
ON REVELATION THAT TESTS SINCE 2012
REVEAL LEAD IN SCHOOLS’ DRINKING WATER
“Last night, the Newark Public Schools (NPS) revealed the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has reviewed test results dating back to the 2012-13 school year. The data was provided by the District’s outside laboratory.
“We know now that from the present back to 2012, 10-12% of the water samples reveal lead levels in the water that exceed the federal action level of 15 parts per billion. NPS also revealed that evidence suggests that the water in the schools has been tested for lead going back at least to 2004, and says that NPS is in the process of obtaining the older test results from the different testing contractors who have the information.
“If tests for lead have been conducted since 2004, it is obvious that the state-controlled NPS has known about the lead problem for at least twelve years if not more. The NPS says that it has been taking steps since 2004 to ‘remediate and mitigate elevated lead levels.’ Yet, during this period, the people of Newark, especially our parents and children, were not told that the problem exists. We don’t believe that the NPS deliberately hid the problem, but we think it was a poor decision not to inform the public. We are happy that the present superintendent had the sense to reveal the problem. But we know that the State did not care enough about the problem to take the real but expensive steps to permanently protect the lives and health of our children. Installing filters is a halfway measure at best that works only if filters are rigorously and regularly replaced. Replacing a limited number of fixtures does not solve the problem when lead pipes continue to carry water.
“It is hard to imagine that a serious threat to the health of our children would have continued for so long in secrecy under a school administration chosen by representatives of the people of Newark. Two decades of state control have allowed this problem to fester. It is time for the state to return control of our schools to the people and pay for a solution that is effective and long-term.”