Education, Culture and Employment Minister Caitlin Cleveland says she's deeply concerned about potential lead exposure at two Yellowknife schools and regardless of whether the tests come out positive, she said the situation is "unacceptable."
She has reached out to a third party to review events leading up to the test, she stated in a news release issued at 9 p.m. on May 28.
SA国际影视传媒淚 take this situation extremely seriously," the minister wrote. "I was first made aware of the results on Monday evening, and immediately ensured precautionary steps were underway. By Tuesday morning, all drinking and cooking water sources at both schools were taken offline SA国际影视传媒� including fountains and cold-water taps in food preparation areas.
SA国际影视传媒淔ollow-up system-wide testing is now underway at both schools, in consultation with the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO), to confirm the initial results and inform any longer-term measures needed to keep students safe at school. We expect an update within the next week, after which the OCPHO will provide further direction based on the findings.
Cleveland said both Ecole William McDonald Middle School and Range Lake North School were now supplied with bulk water dispensers and bottled water to provide safe cooking and drinking water. She added the water supply in Yellowknife itself remains safe to drink and the questionable water in the two schools is safe for cleaning.
She added that once the third party review is completed, the results would be shared with the public.
SA国际影视传媒淲hile I wonSA国际影视传媒檛 prejudge the outcome of that review, I want to be clear: this situation is unacceptable," she wrote. "Parents deserve peace of mind, and students and staff deserve safe learning environments. I will do everything necessary to help restore that trust.SA国际影视传媒�
Under Health Canada guidelines, concentrations of more than 0.005 milligrams per litre (mg/L) are considered unsafe for human consumption. A water sample from Ecole William McDonald Middle School on May 26 came back at 0.009 mg/L, which is significantly higher than the safe threshold. A public notice was issued the next day.
Large volumes of lead over a long time can result in reduced cognition, increased blood pressure and renal dysfunction in adults, as well as adverse neurodevelopmental and behavioural effects in children.
