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The Shelby County Health Department is offering free blood testing for all students who attend the 24 Memphis schools that reported lead-contaminated water last week.
District officials said in a press release Aug. 8 that most sites with unsafe lead levels are kitchen or concession stand sinks. But seven schools have at least one water source containing over 10 times the state legal limit. And Kingsbury Middle and Raleigh Egypt High schools found the toxic metal in drinking fountains.
Health Department Director Bruce Randolph urged families notified of school lead risk to call 901-222-8219 to set up a blood screening appointment.
“Early detection and treatment is the best way to protect children who have been exposed to lead,” he said in a Thursday statement.