AB 2370: Lead in schools and child care centers and what to do about it

What is AB 2370? ?

The state of California passed Assembly Bill 2370 in 2018.?

This bill requires that licensed Child Care Centers (CCC) operating in buildings constructed before January 1, 2010 must have their drinking water tested for excessive lead levels by January 1, 2023. Note that this requirement applies to centers only, not to Family Child Care Homes.?

If lead levels in water exceed an Action Level of 5 parts per billion, centers are required to take certain actions to ensure the safety of the water.

How is this different from federal EPA and LCRR / LCRI lead testing?

If you live in California, then your lead sampling and testing requirements are more stringent than the current federal requirements, like LCRR (Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, soon to be LCRI, Lead and Copper Rule Improvements.) The current federal maximum allowable concentration for lead in water is 15 parts per billion.??

Every State will determine its own specific guidelines for implementing Federal lead safety goals. California AB 2370 is one such example of State legislation.?

How can I make sure my school is in compliance?

In order to ensure your school has safe drinking water, it must be tested for lead according to state compliance details in AB 2370.

This is done by collecting a sample at every cold-water fixture that children consume water from and sending those samples to a certified lab for analysis. Results are shared with authorities and the general public. If elevated lead is discovered, it is often due to fixtures and pipes on the premises that may be in need of replacement.

Initial AB 2370 sampling was required to have been completed by January 1, 2023, and periodic testing is to be conducted every five years thereafter.

Another component of the bill is ensuring CCC staff have training and instruction in the prevention of lead exposure, as well as providing parents with information about the risks and effects of lead.?

Generally speaking the people most involved in starting this process are either a school’s facility maintenance team, student safety personnel or a concerned administrator.?

What can you do to get your school tested properly?

It begins by reaching out to a trained sampling professional for advice. This consultation always includes the following questions:

• How many faucets are used at your facility?
• Approximate time frame for your sampling event?
• Review of testing costs.
• Discussion of how samples are to be collected.
• Discussion of what to do when results are ready.

Complete this form to schedule a review of your requirements and testing options:

https://bit.ly/3qRut9W