Lead Was 73 Times Above Limit In Morristown Hospital Water, Tests Show

MORRISTOWN, N.J. – More than 800 people have been tested for lead exposure and some water samples showed 73 times the federal allowable limit of the metal at Morristown Medical Center in February, officials said.

Employees, children – including those from a nearby daycare which serves food made staff at Morristown Medical Center – current and former patients, visitors, volunteers, and members of the public have been tested because they were in a high risk group or were concerned about their level of water consumption while at the Medical Center, said Atlantic Health Systems spokeswoman Elaine Andrecovich.

While blood test results under 5 micrograms per deciliter are acceptable by the Centers for Disease Control, some of the water samples tested from the medical center’s private well at 100 Madison Avenue showed staggering figures.

The allowable limit for lead in water is 15 parts per billion, or ppb. Some of the tests showed results far beyond that figure, including a 450 ppb in the Simon 5 area; 500 ppb in Jefferson 2; 1,100 ppb in Meade 1; 710 ppb at the Simon A Nurses Station; and 790 ppb in a section of the Goryeb Children’s Hospital.

See related:
Treatment 'Lapse' May Be Cause For Lead In Water At Morristown Medical Center
Patients, Staff Exposed To Lead In Water For A Month At Morristown Medical Center
Lead Found In Well Water At Morristown Medical Center

The full list of areas tested is embedded below.

The medical center has moved over to using bottled water for cooking and consumption purposes, but remains using well water for bathing and cleaning purposes. Bottled water was implemented Feb. 26, but those exposed at the hospital go from Jan. 22 to Feb. 26.

Blood tests are being paid for by the hospital and no prescription is needed. Anyone looking to find out more information may call 855-635-4657 and email Morristown.questions@atlantichealth.org. The call center is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

As of March 9, the medical center remains on bottled water.