
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 7, 1994                   TAG: 9403070057
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: STATESVILLE, N.C.                                LENGTH: Short

SCIENCE PROJECT REVEALS HIGH LEAD LEVELS

Nichole Connolly didn't have much of a reputation as a scientist. Still, authorities thought it wise to doublecheck the disturbing discovery of her science project.

Last week, the 12-year-old's finding that water from a faucet at an elementary school had dangerously high levels of lead was verified by a state-certified lab.

Her project, which won first place last month in the applied science category at West Iredell Middle School, has made her a local celebrity.

"If she hadn't done this, we still wouldn't know about it," said Iredell-Statesville schools spokeswoman Catharine Davidson. "She did a great job."

Nichole took water samples from faucets and fountains at seven schools in the area and sent them to a private laboratory recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Six of the samples came back well below the EPA acceptable limit of 15 parts per billion of lead in drinking water.

The seventh - from a music room faucet at Pressley Elementary school - tested at 17.7 ppb.

by CNB