Follow-up·September 26, 2022

On 09/26/2022, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Sabrina Martinez arrived at Los Angeles Pierce College Child Development Center to conduct an unannounced case management visit. LPA Martinez was met by Director Melissa Brisbois. LPA Martinez informed Director about the purpose of the visit and was guided on a tour of the facility. Assembly Bill (AB) 2370, Chapter 676, Statutes of 2018 requires all licensed Child Care Centers (CCC\342\200\231s) constructed before January 1,2010 to test their drinking water for lead contamination between January 1, 2020 and January 1, 2023, and then every five years after the date of the first test. The Department was notified that the facility has been identified to have 4 water outlets with an Action Level Exceedance (ALE) in the amount of lead in the water being 5.5 ppb, or greater. The purpose of today\342\200\231s visit is to ensure that faucets are not in use and there is potable source of water for children and staff at the facility. On 09/21/2022, LPA Martinez contacted Director Melissa Brisbois and informed Director of the testing results. LPA also provided Director with the Written Directives in PIN 21-21 CCP for Lead Water Testing. Director provided LPA with a copy of the results of lead water sample testing conducted by Pace Analytical Environmental Sciences. Testing was conducted on 07/15/2022 and samples were received by the laboratory on 07/20/2022. Per the report, the following water outlets yielded the following results: 1.) Water Outlet \342\200\234J\342\200\235 (Drinking Fountain in Room 143):11 ppb 2.) Water Outlet \342\200\234T\342\200\235 (Sink Faucet in Room 125): 5.9 ppb 3.) Water Outlet \342\200\234W\342\200\235 (Sink Faucet in Room 122): 6 ppb 4.) Water Outlet \342\200\234X\342\200\235 (Drinking Fountain in Room 122): 12 pbb During today\342\200\231s visit LPA Martinez conducted a tour of the facility and observed water outlets identified on facility sketch. LPA observed Outlets \342\200\234J\342\200\235, \342\200\234T\342\200\235, \342\200\234W\342\200\235, and \342\200\234X\342\200\235 were bagged, taped, and labeled with the \342\200\234Out of Service\342\200\235 signage. LPA observed Outlets \342\200\234T\342\200\235, \342\200\234W\342\200\235, \342\200\234X\342\200\235 to in unused classrooms. Director verified that children do not have access to the water outlets that have been identified showing elevated lead levels. All drinking fountains have been out of use and have been shut off. Director stated that children bring their own water bottles from home and other drinking fountains are available for children to use. All meals and snacks are provided by facility, facility was observed with a kitchen. Kitchen outlets were not observed to have an Action Lead Exceedance (ALE) of 5.5 ppb or over. During today\342\200\231s inspection, LPA Martinez obtained the following documents: External Water Sample Self-Certification Form (LIC 9275), Signed and dated Child Care Center Sampling Checklist Form (LIC 9276), Facility Sketch (fully labeled with locations of all water outlets), and photos of water outlets. LPA will upload the documents to the CA State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water Database (DDW) database. Based on observation, interviews, and supportive documents it has been determined that the facility has violated Child Care Licensing Regulation Division 12, Chapter 1, Subchapter 5 101700.3 (b)(1) California Lead Action Level at Child Care Centers. A result with values of 5.5 ppb or greater shall be deemed an Action Level Exceedance. Lead water testing samples taken on 07/15/2022 revealed that levels of lead were beyond the allowable amount deemed by the State of California. Water Outlets \342\200\234J\342\200\235, \342\200\234T\342\200\235, \342\200\234W\342\200\235, and \342\200\234X\342\200\235 have Action Lead Exceedance (ALE) level of 11, 5.9, 6, and 12 pbb. This facility is being cited (1) deficiency during today\342\200\231s visit 09/26/2022. This is a type B violation which poses a potential Health, Safety or Personal Rights risk to persons in care. Refer to LIC 809-D for deficiency page. LPA discussed Proof of Correction (POC) with Director. Director stated that the 4 water outlets identified with an Action Lead Exceedance of 5.5 ppb or over have been labeled inoperable while the campus goes through the process of replacing the fixtures. These outlets will not be accessible for use until a retest has occurred. LPA Martinez observed signs posted stating Out of Service. A notification of letter was sent out to parents in 09/22/2022 with notification of cease of water outlets and remediation for planned for water outlets or alternative. Director will send LPA a copy of the re-test summary once completed on or before 10/28/2022. Instructions for required lead testing are outlined in PIN 21-21. This PIN which contains Written Directives, have the same force and effects as the regulations contained in Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations Care Child Centers are expected to use an Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP), for lead testing. Accreditation from the California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program, known as an ELAP laboratory, is equipped to measure the amount of lead in a parts per billion (ppb) unit of measurement. For more information, go to the California Childhood. Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch\342\200\231s website at www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/clppb or call them at (510) 620-5600. Please see Provider Information Notice (PIN) 20-01-CCP for more information about lead toxicity prevention A Notice of Site Visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted, appeal rights were explained, and report was reviewed with the facility representative Melissa Brisbois.