Drinking
water can sometimes contribute to elevated blood-lead
levels. The EPA has estimated that on average up to
20% of a child's total lead exposure can potentially
be attributed to lead-contaminated water. While water
is rarely the primary source of exposure to lead for
children with elevated blood-lead levels, it is nevertheless
important to note that formula-fed infants are at special
risk of lead poisoning, if their formula is made with
lead-contaminated water. Similarly, schools and daycare
centers are particularly important places to check for
lead-contaminated water, since such facilities provide
water to young children all day long. Pregnant women
should also take special care to avoid ingesting lead,
since lead crosses the placenta and can affect the fetus.
Although there is no "safe"
level of lead in water, the EPA has established an "action
level" for lead in drinking water at 15 parts per
billion. All drinking water that does not come from
wells is treated before it reaches the service lines
that direct the water to individual residences, thereby
removing any lead that may be present in the water at
its source. However, lead can still leach into drinking
water from certain types of plumbing materials, such
as lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets and some water
meter components.
Lead pipes remain in use
underground—as "service lines"—in
many older communities throughout the US. They can leach
lead if the water running through them is corrosive,
thereby contaminating the water entering the home. These
service lines are the responsibility of the local water
authority, which is responsible for annual sampling
to ensure the lead action level is not exceeded and
is also responsible for replacing old lead pipes if
a significant lead problem is detected.
Inside many homes, water
pipes are made of copper and are bonded together with
lead solder. Because the use of lead solder was only
banned in the US in 1987, millions of US homes contain
lead-soldered copper pipes—and hot water can cause
the lead to leach out from this solder. Accordingly,
one should avoid cooking with hot water. Also, concerned
consumers can "flush" standing water out of
the pipes and down the drain, for at least thirty seconds
to a minute, prior to using it for cooking or drinking
purposes. (This "flushing" method should be
applied for an even longer time period when a consumer
lives in a high-rise, or whenever water has to travel
through greater lengths of pipe than what one would
generally find in a typical free-standing home. Also,
it is important to note that if there is lead leaching
out from the service lines, flushing may require several
additional minutes to effectively drain the lead-contaminated
water from the system.)
Brass plumbing materials,
such as faucets and some water meter and well pump components,
are also likely to contain some lead—in fact,
as much as 8% lead. In such cases, the lead tends to
leach out when the component is newly installed, rather
than years later. Some water filters are very effective
in keeping lead at bay. Consumers should research individual
filters before buying them, to verify whether or not
they are appropriate for use in minimizing exposure
to lead. Consumers should also carefully follow filter
manufacturer directions, to ensure filters are replaced
in a timely fashion.
The EPA has estimated
that on average up to 20% of a child's total lead exposure
can potentially be attributed to lead-contaminated water.
We do FREE HOME TESTING for toxic air,
water and VOC's- Volatile Organic Compounds.
For those interested in testing their water, call 702-533-4363
