LEAD TAINTS SCHOOL WATER

Lead taints school water  is a front page headline in today's Times Union (3/23/07).

Exposure to even low levels of lead can lower IQ's, increase attention deficit disorder resulting in poor performance in school (and life). Lead is a neuro toxin which, in high levels, can cause brain,.kidney and red blood cell damage.

We are told that the Albany schools are replacing faucet fixtures.

Is it possible that the problem extends far beyond the schools, to homes, bars, restaurants in the city of Albany, located in those parts of the city that were built at a time when the ruling political party required that lead lines were required to connect structures to city water mains?

Perhaps, the city  or health department should order a citywide test of  residents, homes and businesses ,to determine if there is a long term lead exposure problem resulting from the extensive use of lead water line connecters, and how serious the problem is?

If it turns out that this is the case, perhaps, the millions of dollars which are to be spent on getting the PCB's out of the Hudson River sediments, might be better spent on getting the lead out of the city water supply.

Low levels of lead exposure not only can cause impaired mental ability, other health problems, attention deficit disorder (ADD) and poor school performance - this could also extend to problems with political behavior, including blind party line voting and ever decreasing voter turnout in elections.

                                                                                               J P Sullivan