70% of Erie County schools test above limit for lead in drinking water, new study finds

A new study by the Environment America Research and Policy Center and the New York Public Interest Research Group reveals that 70% of Erie County school buildings exceed state lead limits in drinking water. Across New York public schools, over 12,000 drinking water outlets may expose children to unsafe lead levels. These findings have prompted urgent calls for improved infrastructure funding and the implementation of lower safety standards to protect students from lead exposure in educational facilities.