I-Team lead testing results prompt city action
Independent testing by the ABC7 I-Team uncovers unsafe levels of lead at public water fountains found at popular destinations, prompting the city to take action. (WLS)
By Jason Knowles and Ann Pistone
Friday, June 24, 2016 10:19PM
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Independent testing by the ABC7 I-Team uncovers unsafe levels of lead at public water fountains found at popular destinations, prompting the city to take action.
The I-Team tested 11 water fountains along the lake and at the Lincoln Park Zoo after repeated questions about the Park District's plan to test for lead went unanswered. Three samples came back positive.
The elephant drinking fountain at the Lincoln Park Zoo tested high for lead in water, 19 parts per billion - above the Safe Drinking Water Act contaminant level. The zoo shut it down, turning off the water Friday after the I-Team told them and the Chicago Park District about the test results.
"This is my child. It's more important than anything," says Charles Noid of the fountain's shutdown.
At the fountain near Montrose Avenue along the Lake Shore Trail the water tested high for lead. The results were 15 parts per billion.
"I use the drinking fountains along the trail often but I'm going to have to think twice," says Jacob Gowin.
As of Friday afternoon the water was shut off.
The lakefront and zoo are both popular destinations for families. Children are especially susceptible to lead poisoning because their bodies absorb metals at a greater rate. High levels of lead can cause low IQ, shorter attention span and lower performance in school.
The third water fountain that tested positive for lead is next to the children's park just south of McCormick Place. This result fell below the federal Environmental Protection Agency's "action" limit, meaning no action such as replacing the lead service lines, is required. Water is still flowing out of that fountain as of Friday afternoon.
In May, the I-Team tested a dozen drinking fountains in Cook County and the suburbs. The fountain at the Olympic Park District facility tested positive for lead, but also fell below the EPA action limit.
At that time, the Chicago Park District said its own test showed results "blow the laboratory reporting limits." They did, however, say they wuld test water at more facilities and launch a program, but wouldn't' answer the I-Team's questions about it.
The Park District refused to be interviewed on camera Friday, but issued a statement saying: "Out of an abundance caution the Chicago Park District has disabled two drinking fountains. According to lab reports provided by ABC 7, the two have detectable levels just below the EPA's action level. The Chicago Park District will conduct its own testing, and determine if further action is warranted."
The EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say there is no safe level of exposure to lead.
The I-Team's testing yielded another result: answers from the Park District about their pilot program to test water. They said they are testing 60 field house fountains in parks citywide.
As for the tests conducted on behalf of the I-Team, a certified lab in Naperville was used and all EPA guidelines were followed.
EPA: GUIDE FOR SCHOOLS AND CHILD CARE FACILITIES
EPA: ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE TO REDUCE LEAD IN DRINKING WATER
Police: 1 dead in Niles 5-car crash
Friday, June 24, 2016 07:37PM
NILES, Ill. (WLS) -- A 55-year-old man died in a five vehicle crash on eastbound Dempster Friday afternoon.
Niles police say John Grygorcewicz was pronounced dead at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge due to his injuries.
Grygorcewicz was driving a black Chevrolet Tahoe at high speed. Officials say he appeared to be experiencing some type of medical distress. He hit a curb and then rear ended a semi-tracker trailer. He then hit a minivan which was pushed forward causing a chain reaction, hitting two other vehicles.
As of 7 p.m., Dempster Street is open after being shut down between Harlem and Oketo.
The four other drivers did not report any injuries.
Eyewitness News
Friday, June 24, 2016 09:50PM
JAMAICA, Queens (WABC) -- Flames broke out on a jumbo jet soon after it landed at JFK Airport.
The Asiana flight from Seoul, South Korea landed shortly before noon on Friday morning.
After all the passengers disembarked, mechanics were attending to the airbus A-380 when a fire ignited in one of the engines. Firefighters responded and extinguished the flames.
There is no word yet on what may have caused the fire.
MTA bus consumed by fire on Gowanus Expressway
Eyewitness News
Friday, June 24, 2016 11:31PM
BAY RIDGE, Brooklyn (WABC) -- An MTA bus was consumed by fire on the Gowanus Expressway in Bay Ridge.
The bus was out of service with only the driver on board when he noticed smoke around 9:30 Friday night.
The driver was able to get out to safety before the entire bus became engulfed in flames.
All westbound lanes were closed for over an hour.
23 Dead in West Virginia Flooding, State of Emergency Declared
EMILY SHAPIRO
Updated 1 hr 57 mins ago At least 23 people have died from devastating flooding and historic rainfall in West Virginia, according to the state's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has called the flooding "among the worst in a century" for some parts of the state.
The body of a child who was swept away in fast-moving floodwaters was found Friday morning, about a mile from where he was last seen in Jackson County Thursday, the Ravenswood Fire Department said.
Initial reports showed 100 homes were seriously damaged or destroyed, Tomblin said.
But amid the tragedies were stories of heroic actions, Tomblin said: police rescued a woman trapped in her car with water rising to her neck, and some people risked their lives to rescue others who were stranded on rooftops and in rivers.
A state of emergency was declared in 44 of the state's 55 counties.
Some 200 National Guard members were helping Friday in eight counties, Tomblin said.
Rescue efforts were also underway Friday to save hundreds of people who became stranded inside a West Virginia mall overnight after a bridge connecting the shopping center to a main road collapsed and washed away, officials told ABC News.
About 500 people, including employees and customers, became got stuck inside the Crossings Mall in Elkview, about 12 miles from Charleston, around 4 p.m. Thursday, said Rick McElhaney, assistant deputy director with Metro 911 in Kanawha County.
First responders today walked some people from the mall around to a back road to board public transportation, an official with the Kanawha County Emergency Operations Center told ABC News Friday morning.
"I have a farm, I have got to get home," one woman said while walking down a steep hill behind the mall.
Crews were also working Friday to build a gravel road to get people out. But some people stayed at the mall because their homes were flooded.
The flooding attracted the attention of presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, who is in Scotland. He tweeted, "Thoughts and prayers are with everyone in West Virginia- dealing with the devastating floods. #ImWithYou."
