In honor of Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 21-27, EPA and MassDEP are encouraging schools and child care facilities to test tap water for lead. EPA and MassDEP are committed to reducing potential exposure to elevated lead levels in drinking water in schools and child care facilities. Testing water in schools and child care facilities is important because children spend a significant portion of their day in these facilities and are likely to consume water while there.

"This information will help schools and child care facility officials understand the importance of testing for lead in drinking water in order to protect our most precious resource - our nation's children," said Assistant Administrator for Water Benjamin H. Grumbles.

In an effort to reach out to school and child care facility officials, EPA mailed a complimentary copy of the new DVD "What Your School or Child Care Facility Should Know About Lead in Drinking Water" to the 50 largest school districts in the country to make sure they know it and other materials are available. The DVD and other materials are available to anyone through the following website: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/schools/guidance.html.