Students at Tanner Elementary have blood screened for lead

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Blood testing is underway at Tanner Elementary School in Chicago after earlier tests found high lead levels in water from three drinking fountains at the school.

Chicago Public Schools began a pilot program to test for lead in 32 schools last month.

Only Tanner had high levels during that initial testing.

A mobile testing unit was at the school Tuesday, screening lead levels in students' blood.

"If the child has high levels of lead, then if affects their internal organs also, so, we want to try to put a stop to that as quickly as possible to get them the help that they need," said Donald Seals with St. Bernard Hospital.

CPS has not been able to figure out where the high lead levels are coming from at tanner elementary. The district is now expanding lead testing to all schools.