PORTAGE PARK — Water from three sinks in three kindergarten classrooms at Smyser Elementary School has tested positive for elevated levels of lead, Chicago Public Schools officials announced Friday.
In a letter to parents of students at the elementary school in Portage Park, Chicago Public Schools officials said tests conducted June 11 found elevated levels of lead in water from sinks in Room 101, Room 102 and Room 103, all of which are used as kindergarten classrooms, according to the school's website.
In Room 101, three tests found 129 parts per billion, 93.5 parts per billion and 18.5 parts per billion of lead in the water from the classroom's sink.
In Room 102, a test found 17.4 parts per billion of lead in the water from the classroom's sink.
In Room 103, two tests found 34.8 parts per billion and 23.8 parts per billion of lead in the water from the classroom's sink.
The Environmental Protection Agency considers water with less than 15 parts per billion of lead to be safe.
All three sinks have been shut down, and a plan to remove the lead is being developed, officials said.
Twenty-three other sinks or water fountains at Smyser Elementary do not have elevated levels of lead. However, water from all of the fixtures at the school, 4310 N. Melvina Ave., have at least trace levels of lead.
Elevated levels of lead have also been found at Stock School in Edison Park and Portage Park Elementary School on the Far Northwest Side.
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.
No detectable levels of lead were found at Gray Elementary School, 3730 N. Laramie Ave., also in Portage Park, according to test results announced Tuesday.
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.
Water at more than 56 schools throughout the city has tested positive for lead, officials said.
Four other Far Northwest Side schools have had their water tested, but the results were not available as of Friday morning. Those schools are:
• Beaubien Elementary School in Jefferson Park
• Hitch Elementary School in Gladstone Park
• Onahan Elementary School in Norwood Park
• Norwood Park Elementary School.
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