NY Senator Schumer Seeking Federal Funding for Lead Testing in Schools

The water contamination crisis in Flint, Michigan has brought concerns over on lead poisoning to the forefront of the national conversation. New York Senator Chuck Schumer wants to prevent similar crises by helping schools across the country test their water.

Schumer plans to introduce a bill to Congress that would give schools money to test their water for lead. He said on Wednesday children under the age of six are the most likely to be harmed by elevated lead levels in the blood.

"Lead poisoning may be relatively uncommon in most parts of the country," Schumer said, "but make no mistake, it's pernicious, it can be life-altering and rob our youngest children of a bright future."

So Schumer's advocating for a $100 million federal grant that would provide funds for schools to check lead levels. He said he doesn't want to mandate schools to carry out tests because often they don't have the funding anyway. 

"Schools don't need another unfunded mandate," Schumer said. "They're strapped and federal government has always had a responsibility for clean water."

Schumer said this will make it easier for schools to check the levels since they won't be paying out of their own pockets. He added if the funding happens, a federal requirement to test for lead in school water may be the next step taken.

If the bill is passed, funding will be available starting October for the next school year.