Source: http://www.nj.com, March 27, 2016
By: Caitlin Mota
With a majority of city schools over 80 years old, Jersey City schools are “classic candidates” for lead problems, according to a report.
In 2006, 2008, and again in 2012, elevated levels of lead were found in drinking fountains in city schools, but officials did not “chart a a comprehensive attack on lead” until 2013, The New York Times reported yesterday. 
The report comes as lead contamination in urban areas has come under closer scrutiny. 
But despite lead levels being elevated up to 60 times the federal threshold at eight schools in 2006, students were not switched to bottled water until two years later, The New York Times reported.
By 2013, all but six Jersey City schools had lead contamination, with one fountain testing at 853 times the accepted maximum, the report states.
In an online statement, Mayor Steve Fulop said the school district has hired a consultant to inspect the water systems.
Last week, city parks were closed after lead chips were found within the recreational facilities.
On March 17, lead paint chips were found at Mary Benson Park, a discovery that worried many parents of students at School No. 5 who use that facility daily.
City officials said the source of the lead chips is from the New Jersey Turnpike Extension.
After “proactively” investigating nearby parks, facilities at Nineth Street park were closed. Lead chips were found within the Roberto Clemente baseball fields and skate park. The Enos Jones playground was closed out of an “abundance of caution.”
Cleanup has begun at the parks and is expected to be complete by the end of this week, Fulop’s statement read.
Additionally, Fulop said lead testing has increased among residents by 815 percent. In 2014, 103 tests were performed, while 3351 were performed last year, he said.
Last month, the city hired a third party consultant to test the city’s drinking water. Fulop said the final report from that testing should be complete in two weeks.
“While there is no need to panic, we remain cautious and want to continue being a leader in terms of safety for residents,” Fulop wrote. “Hopefully, this gives clarity and comfort, as Jersey City is proactive and aggressive in making sure our residents are healthy.”