Since the governor mandated school districts test their water sources for high lead levels last month, officials say more than 5,000 water fountains and sinks have been tested in local school districts.

-By Alissa Scott, originally posted on November 4, 2016

Since Gov. Andrew Cuomo last month mandated school districts test their water sources for lead, officials say more than 5,000 water fountains and sinks have been tested in local school districts.

Districts that have received results from state-approved testing labs already have implemented remediation strategies such as posting signage or replacing faucets.

“We know how harmful lead can be to the health and well-being of young children, and that’s why the Senate insisted on testing school water for lead,” state Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan said when Cuomo launched the directive. “As a result, New York becomes the first state in the nation to perform this testing and protect millions of its students from potential health risks.”

Lead is a toxic material that is extremely harmful to young children and can result in lowered IQ, behavioral problems and brain damage.