GAO: Less than half of school districts test for lead

Washington – A survey of school districts around the country finds that less than half test their water for lead, and among those that do more than a third detected elevated levels of the toxin.

That’s according to a report released Tuesday by the Government Accountability Office.

Lead can cause brain damage and learning disabilities in children.

The report is based on a survey of 549 school districts across the United States. It found that 41 percent of school districts did not test for lead in the water in 2016 and 2017. Of the 43 percent that did, about 37 percent reported elevated levels.

There is no federal law that requires schools to test for lead.