City officials will test over 17,000 children for potential lead poisoning after high levels of the chemical were found in nearly half of the its schools' drinking water according to officials.
According to Department of Health Director Dr. Hanaa Hamdi told members testing will begin with approximately 2,000 toddlers who attend early childhood centers located at the 30 buildings where elevated levels of lead were found.
Hamdi said, once that round of testing have been completed, the city will set up a number of sites outside of schools to test the remaining students.
Parents who do not wish for their children to be tested will be given the opportunity to opt out, Hamdi said.
Hamdi said that children between 1 and 6 were in the most danger if they ingested lead-contaminated water.
Hamdi said officials with the school district,state Department of Health, and other faith and community-based organizations had offered their assistance as plans take shape.
Students, faculty and staff in the 30 affected schools are depending on bottled water for drinking and cooking according to Hamdi.