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No Lead Found At Far NW Side Schools, But More Test Results Due Soon

 CPS is testing all its schools for lead in the water. So far, 14 have had levels above federal limits.
CPS is testing all its schools for lead in the water. So far, 14 have had levels above federal limits.
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NORWOOD PARK — No lead has been found in the water at six Far Northwest Side schools tested by Chicago Public Schools officials, results show.

No lead was detected in any of the sinks or drinking fountains at Farnsworth Elementary School, 5414 N. Linder Ave., in Jefferson Park; or Beard Elementary School, 6445 W. Strong St., in Norwood Park, according to results released by Chicago Public Schools officials.

At Bridge Elementary School, 3800 N. New England Ave., in Dunning, tests showed less than two parts per billion of lead in several drinking fountains, according to the test results.

The Environmental Protection Agency considers water with less than 15 parts per billion of lead to be safe.

At Chicago Academy Elementary School, 3400 N. Austin Ave., tests found no more than three parts per billion in any drinking fountain or sink, according to the test results.

In addition, Oriole Park Elementary School Principal Tim Riff told parents in an email Thursday that the school's water was safe, although the school's test results have yet to be released by district officials.

Water at 30 CPS schools has tested positive for lead since Chicago Public Schools launched citywide testing in May.

Canty Elementary School, 3740 N. Panama Ave., in Dunning was among the first schools to be tested, officials said. No lead was found in the school's water, test results showed.

The results come as CPS "is taking proactive steps to ensure that our children's drinking water is safe across all schools," spokesman Michael Passman said.

CPS Chief Executive Officer Forrest Claypool called for citywide testing in late May after Tanner Elementary tested positive last month as part of a pilot program at 324 schools built before 1986 with pre-kindergarten programs, including Canty Elementary.

The government is especially concerned with children drinking lead-tainted water, as they're more susceptible to its effects. Amounts of lead that won't hurt adults can hinder mental and physical development in children, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Ten other Far Northwest Side schools have had their water tested, but the results were not available as of Thursday afternoon.

Those schools are:

• Stock Elementary School in Edison Park

• Reinberg Elementary School in Portage Park

• Portage Park Elementary School

• Gray Elementary School in Portage Park

• Dirksen Elementary School in Norwood Park.

• Beaubien Elementary School in Jefferson Park

• Hitch Elementary School in Gladstone Park

• Onahan Elementary School in Norwood Park

• Smyser Elementary School in Portage Park

• Norwood Park Elementary School

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