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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday September 22, 2007 - 5 High lead levels found in seven Catholic school water systems By Melanie Cummings SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Children's Dentistry. We all know that first impressions can last a lifetime. Whether your child has been seeing a dentist regularly or is coming to our office for their first dental visit, Dr. Phelan and his team will go the extra mile to make sure that first visit to our office is a special one. We have an excellent new children's area in the reception room with a flat screen TV and playstation 3 with child friendly games and DVDs. We also have a fabulous salt-water aquarium custom-built for our office, with many colourful and exotic fish for your children to look at and enjoy. Each of our treatment rooms is equipped with satellite TV so your child can have some of their favourite programs playing during their visit to help them feel more comfortable in the dental chair. Dr. Phelan has recently invested in a dental laser that can treat cavities in children's teeth without the drilling sound or vibration. The Laser treatment can lead to a decrease in the amount of anesthetic that is required during the visit to treat the cavity and improve the overall experience for your child. Lead levels in seven of Halton's Catholic schools have tested above the provincial standard of 10 micrograms. New standards for daily and weekly flushing and annual summertime testing of water systems in schools, day nurseries and private schools were set down by the provincial government in June. Results from tests conducted over the summer were released to trustees of the Halton Catholic District School Board Tuesday night (Sept. 18). Standing water levels were above 10 micrograms in seven schools: Ascension and Sacred Heart of Jesus in Burlington, St. Francis of Assisi and St. Joseph in Halton Hills, and St. Joseph, St. Matthew and St. Vincent in Oakville. St. Matthew Elementary School, which was built in 1987, recorded the highest standing level at 26 micrograms. However, all schools after flushing for five minutes had less than 10 micrograms of lead. But St. Francis of Assisi, which was built in 1971, hovered close at 9.8 micrograms and testing at St. Matthew revealed 8.3 micrograms of lead was still present in the water. "If we did this test now at this school, I suspect it would be lower," said superintendent of facility management services Giacomo Corbaccio. Testing is ordered in summertime because this is when the problem of lead appears worst. Curiously the lead level tested higher after flushing in four schools. It went from 0.7 to 1 at Guardian Angels in Milton and from 1.9 to 4.2 at Pope John Paul II in Oakville. At Oakville's St. James school, which was built in 1956, recordings show lead leaped from 0.9 micrograms prior to flushing to 2.5 after running the water through the pipes. St. Joan of Arc, also in Oakville, revealed a leap from 0.8 micrograms prior to flushing to 1.1 afterward. Corbaccio said that it's thought the source of contamination in these four cases could be lead in the soldering that joins the copper pipes. He also assured trustees that there are no lead pipes remaining in any Halton Catholic school. If the lead content figure goes higher than 10 micrograms custodians have been advised to correct the problem by flushing the system for longer than five minutes, said Corbaccio According to the Ministry of Education, children under the age of seven are particularly vulnerable to the effects of lead. Dori swimming in Dr. Phelan's Aquarium Dental Surgeon. Laser, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry 1500 Heritage Way, Oakville, ON L6M 3H4 call 905.827.1619 to arrange an appointment Creating sensational smiles in Oakville for 15 years. H H H EMPTY BOWLS A fundraiser for: and help Halton's homeless. Presenting Sponsor EMPTY BOWLS is a fundraising event where you choose a unique hand-crafted pottery bowl made by artisans, taste soups from top local chefs and then take home your bowl as a reminder of the renewed hope you have given to Halton's homeless! All proceeds go directly to a local charity ­ Home Suite Hope. Home Suite Hope (HSH) is a local charity that provides housing solutions and support for homeless individuals and families. HSH assists residents at they acquire employment skills and other support necessary to regain independence. We need your help to continue this important task and to grow services. Get your tickets today! minimum (although more would be appreciated!) FOR TICKETS Tickets are limited, please purchase in advance. www.homesuitehope.org ·O S G A C