The Yukon government has released the results of the most recent round of lead testing in Yukon school water fixtures.
The round of tests took place between October and December 2024, according to a March 11 press release. The release said the water samples were tested at Bureau Veritas Laboratories in Burnaby, B.C.
Over the 32 schools that had testing done, eight did not need remediation, mitigation or replacement of water fixtures, according to the release. However, the remaining 24 schools had at least one fixture testing above the maximum acceptable concentrations of lead, requiring remediation, mitigation or replacement.
Health Canada maintains there is no known safe exposure level to lead, and that total lead leaves should be kept as low as reasonably achievable. The limit prescribed by the federal agency is 0.005 milligrams of lead per litre of water.
Lead is a metal which is known to reduce the intelligence of children exposed to unsafe quantities of it, as stated by Health Canada. Other possible effects of lead exposure include behavioural effects in children, and reduced cognition, increased blood pressure, and kidney dysfunction in adults. Lead is classified as probably carcinogenic to humans, according to Health Canada.
According to the YG press release, lead pipes, faucets and plumbing fixtures, as well as welding solders and pipe fixtures from before 1986 may also be sources of lead.
In the Yukon, the schools with the most fixtures which tested above the limit for lead were Robert Service School in Dawson City, and J.V. Clark School in Mayo. Both had 14 fixtures testing above the limit, which have been identified by the Yukon department of education for replacement or repair.
At Robert Service School, seven classroom sinks and seven kitchen sinks tested above the limit. At J.V. Clark, there were 11 classroom sinks, one kitchen sink and three drinking fountains testing above the limits.
Eliza Van Bibber School in Pelly Crossing and Del Van Gorder School in Faro each had six fixtures identified for replacement or mitigation, whereas St. Elias Community School in Haines Junction and Whitehorse Elementary in Whitehorse each had five.
The remaining schools had three or fewer fixtures testing above the limit.
Émilie Tremblay, Kluane Lake School, Hidden Valley Elementary, F.H. Collins, Nelnah Bessie John School, Whistle Bend School, Selkirk Elementary and the Teen Parent Centre were the schools that required no work.
The Yukon department of education said in their press release that while some of the samples from some of the fixtures tested above the limit, analysis suggests the levels do not pose considerable health risk to staff and students.
Work is already underway to mitigate or remove drinking water fixtures testing above the limit for lead, according to the release.
The release said the government is developing a long-term drinking water monitoring program for Yukon schools.
Contact Talar Stockton at talar.stockton@yukon-news.com
