Drinking water in schools and day-care centers: chemical quality and health risks for children [Webinar]

Cost: free

Time: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm ET

Location: webinar

PROGRAM 

Speakers bio

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This webinar is organized by ReachForWater (VisezEau®), the Research Centre of the CHU de Québec-Axis Community Health and Optimized Health Practices and the Institut national de santé publique du Québec, with the NSERC Industrial Research Chair on Water Quality Management and Monitoring at Université Laval and CentrEau.

Problematic

Although drinking water in schools and day-care facilities is generally of good quality, the possible chemical contamination of the water distributed in these facilities is a persistent problem. It may be associated with contamination of the source, or related to the treatment of water (mainly disinfection products). However, most often it is associated with the components of piping (lead, copper, etc.). Young children (<6 years) are particularly vulnerable to these exposures. Water consumption in schools and day-care centers is little known, but even low consumption could be a problem if contamination, particularly from plumbing constituents, is high. In the context of research aimed at promoting water consumption in schools (ReachForWaterVisezEau®), we felt it was important to take stock of how these potential problems are assessed and managed.

Although several studies have been carried out on the subject, their results are often punctual and do not provide a good picture of the situation. In addition, several jurisdictions in Canada and elsewhere are proposing recommendations for systematic testing in these settings (assessment of all water points) without a clear definition of the criteria for these recommendations.

Webinar Objectives

At the end of this activity, participants should be able to:

  1. Identify key chemical contaminants in drinking water in schools and daycares;
  2. Summarize available data on the level of chemical contamination of water in schools and daycares, particularly in relation to piping;
  3. Provide estimates of water use at daycare or in schools;
  4. Discuss potential health impacts related to water use in school or daycare;
  5. Analyze current practices in Canada to assess and manage this risk.

 

Potential Participants

  • Water wuality researchers
  • Public health professionals
  • Provincial and federal jurisdictions leaders
  • School Commissioners

The floor is yours!

Who said that public water fountains do not have the right to be attractive? In fact, they must be able to dethrone dealers of liquid sugars and bottled water.

ReachforWater greets the artistic initiatives of Cégep Garneau. The development of water fountains is part of the strategies of ReachforWater. Congratulations to the people at Cégep Garneau. Since ReachforWater is part of social justice projects, it is our duty to give voice to all. We ask for your help. You have seen things, photographed them, you have anecdotes or stories, good and bad initiatives, send them to info@visezeau.org.

A single criterion, however, must be a link with unpacked drinking water, bottled water or soft drinks (soft drinks, punch and cocktail fruit, for sports, energizing, and teas And ready-to-eat cold coffees, chocolate milk, drinkable yogurts and also 100% pure juice).

Dr. Michel Lucas
Epidemiologist / Nutritionist Professor, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Université Laval
Researcher, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Visiting Researcher, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
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