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Water At Dirksen Elementary Does Not Have Elevated Levels Of Lead: Tests

 Water at Dirksen Elementary School in Norwood Park does not have elevated levels of lead, Chicago Public Schools officials announced.
Water at Dirksen Elementary School in Norwood Park does not have elevated levels of lead, Chicago Public Schools officials announced.
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NORWOOD PARK — Water at Dirksen Elementary School in Norwood Park does not have elevated levels of lead, Chicago Public Schools officials announced.

In a letter to parents of students at the Norwood Park school, Chicago Public Schools officials said tests conducted in June found at least trace amounts of lead in every sink and water fountain at the school at 8601 W. Foster Ave.

However, none of the levels detected were higher than 4 parts per billion, according to the test results.

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

No lead was detected in sinks and fountains in the school's two modular buildings, according to the test results.

Stock Elementary School in Edison Park is so far the only school on the Far Northwest Side where water with elevated levels of lead has been found.

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 School in Dunning.

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.

The district has been sending letters home to parents and hosting a series of community meetings, which have been attended by virtually no one.

Eight other Far Northwest Side schools have had their water tested, but the results were not available as of Tuesday afternoon. Those schools are:

• Reinberg Elementary School in Portage Park

• Portage Park Elementary School

• Gray Elementary School in Portage 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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