lead
Lead, cadmium and ‘metal mixtures’ in drinking water increase risk of preterm birth
Pregnant individuals who are exposed to high levels of metals, such as cadmium and lead, in their private drinking water wells have a greater likelihood of preterm birth, North Carolina researchers have found, which can increase the children’s risk of chronic health problems as they grow up. The recent findings are important because an estimated […]
DEQ will intervene to help clean up lead in Durham city parks
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality will help clean up lead-contaminated areas in five Durham parks, city officials announced this week. The parks — Walltown, Lyon, East End, East Durham and Northgate — have qualified for the state’s Pre-Regulatory Landfill Program, which was established to remediate land where municipal solid waste disposal occurred before Jan. 1, […]
After lead found in several city parks, Durham offers free blood tests for kids, pregnant people, starting today
People who are pregnant and young children can have their blood tested for lead — for free — at the Durham County Health Department. The program starts today; no insurance is required. Children must be between 6 months and 6 years old. Lead is a neurotoxin. Children with very high levels of lead in their […]
Final report shows Walltown, East Durham parks most affected by lead contamination in soil
Pieces of glass and porcelain, more than 70 years old, were found in lead-contaminated soil at several Durham parks, evidence that old incinerators are a likely source, according to a final report released by the city last night. The findings by city contractor Mid-Atlantic Associates, confirm and underscore sampling conducted in the fall of 2021, […]
Preliminary test results confirm areas of East Durham, Walltown parks contaminated with lead
Contractors hired by the City of Durham have found hotspots of lead-contaminated soil at two parks, as well as at the old Sign and Signal Shop, prompting officials to fence off the affected areas no later than today. According to an update from the City published last night, these parks have lead above the EPA’s […]
Duke U scientists alerted Durham Parks about high lead levels in November. No one told the public.
Top Durham Parks and Recreation officials knew last November that areas in three city parks contained high levels of lead, but did not inform the public, emails obtained today by NC Newsline under public records laws show. On Nov. 30, 2022, Dan Richter, a soil scientist at Duke University told Parks Superintendent Robert Jennings that […]
Monday numbers: Alarming levels of lead in drinking water at UNC-Chapel Hill
Last month, UNC-Chapel Hill detected lead in the water coming from the drinking fountains in the campus’ Wilson Library. After removing the fountains and expanding testing, this month the university has documented lead in fountains and sinks from a half-dozen campus buildings.
Environmental test results are in for controversial Aberdeen Elementary School site in Moore County
Lead detected in groundwater at above EPA “action level” Next August, more than 600 students will step inside a gleaming, new Aberdeen Elementary School for the first time, likely unaware of the low — albeit still present — levels of environmental contamination that lie underground. On the first day of school this year, Aug. 26, […]
Bill would require schools, day cares to test for lead in drinking water
A new bill would appropriate $8 million in non-recurring funds for public schools and some day cares to test for lead in their drinking water, as well as providing alternate water supplies for buildings that exceed federal action levels for the chemical. House Bill 386 would require all public schools, including public charters, and those […]