34 The Courier SUN • kids & education • JUNE 30, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com ▶KIDS & EDUCATION Find out lead water test results for your child’s day care center In the aftermath of the Flint water crisis in Michigan, the city is making it easier for parents to find out the lead levels in the water of their children’s day care centers. The agency announced last week that it would begin posting water test results for day care programs on Child Care Connect, an online directory of licensed day care programs that was launched last year to help parents make informed decisions about child care settings. This follows a proposal earlier this month to the Board of Health to require childcare operators to test for lead in water every five years — an upgrade from the current once-only requirement — matching the protocol recently adopted by city schools. “The city’s tap water is of the highest quality, and not a source of lead poisoning, but we want every parent to be assured that our child care centers have tested for lead levels in water. We conducted a thorough review of the department’s process to monitor the quality of water in the childcare programs that we permit and are making sure that all centers have proper testing documentation in place,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. “The department requested that the Board of Health approve a provision that requires a lead in water test 30 days after a new permit is issued and every five years for existing programs. We anticipate the board to approve this provision in September 2016. Test results for lead in water will be posted online in Child Care Connect.” “New York City drinking water is of the highest quality, meeting or exceeding all state and federal standards. Our drinking water is virtually lead-free when it is delivered from the upstate reservoir system and tested over 500,000 times per year,” added acting Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Steve Lawitts. “I commend the departments of Health and Education for posting lead testing results for childcare centers on Child Care Connect so that parents know their children are in safe environments with access to safe, healthy, delicious New York City drinking water.” Child Care Connect offers recent inspection reports and a three-year performance summary with information about daycare programs and staff, including staff turnover rate and the percentage of annual inspections with violations compared to the citywide average. Starting in July, Child Care Connect will also include lead water test results to inform parents about water quality at each facility. Water is not a source of lead poisoning in New York City, and no child care center has ever been linked with a case of lead poisoning. New York City’s water is of the highest quality — meeting or exceeding all federal and state standards. The city manages the watershed surrounding its reservoirs, and the Department of Environmental Protection tests water more than 500,000 times each year at various points throughout the water distribution system. In addition, the city removed known lead service lines to schools and city buildings, and none have been found in a citypermitted child care center. However, due to older internal plumbing and fixtures, lead test results may still be elevated. When that occurs, those sites must implement corrective measures to reduce lead levels. The Health Department’s corrective protocol is based on EPA guidance and involves regular flushing or fixture replacement. Flushing removes any built-up lead in stagnant water. The Health Department immediately investigates cases of lead poisoning reported to the city. Lead poisoning among children has fallen by 80 percent since 2012. Most commonly lead poisoning is related to deteriorated and damaged lead-based paint. Of the 840 cases of elevated blood lead levels found in children under 6 years of age who were tested in 2014 (most recent confirmed data), none were attributed to lead in water. The Health Department licenses almost 2,300 child care facilities. QUEENS YOUNGSTERS ENJOY JUNIOR POLICE JAMBOREE On June 9, kids from Police Athletic League (PAL) Centers in Queens joined more than 150 children, ages 8 to 12, from PAL Centers across the five boroughs at the NYPD Candidate Assessment Center for the 8th Annual Junior Police Jamboree. The young “recruits” from 20 PAL Centers throughout New York City displayed projects highlighting leadership qualities and community service during a fair, while members of NYPD demonstrated officer training activities. Following the presentations, the young members were sworn in with the Junior Police Pledge. PAL’s Junior Police Club is a leadership development program, whose members work toward the completion of civic projects during PAL’s After School Program. Through partnership with the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau, Youth Services Section, the program fosters positive relations between youth and police officers, while teaching young people a sense of leadership and a responsibility to give back to their communities. For more information, visit www.palnyc.org.
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