Lead In Drinking Water Comes From Lead Pipes, Solder and Plumbing Fixtures and Lead Dust
Lead is the number one environmental health threat to our children ... U.S. department of Health And Human Services
Next to chlorine, lead is the most common contaminant found in tap water. Lead in drinking water usually originates between the water main in the street and the household faucet, so treatment from a central point is neither logical or practical.
Most lead in drinking water comes from lead lined pipes, lead solder and brass plumbing fixtures inside your home. The EPA estimates that 98% of all homes have pipes, fixtures or solder joints in the household plumbing that can contribute some level of lead to the tap water.
Lead is also present in paints (beware flaking paints), ceramics, and lead dust which can even be brought into the home from a work location. Many toys used to use lead but probably no more
It has been determined and recognized by the EPA that there is no safe level for lead in drinking water and that any level poses some degree of adverse health effects.
Ironically lead takes its greatest toll on small children.
Even very low levels of lead can cause reduced IQs, learning disabilities and behavioral problems such as hypertension and reduced attention span in children. And often the effects of lead are life long and irreversible.
In adults lead in drinking water causes high blood pressure and reduces hemoglobin production necessary for oxygen transport and interferes with normal cellular calcium metabolism.
Water borne lead effects every one in a very tragic and permanent way. Lead exposure is cumulative and long lasting. This toxic metal is stored by the body, primarily in teeth and bones. When the body is under physical stress, or deficient in certain minerals, the stored lead is released in varying quantities depending on the individuals physical state.
The following worrying information was seen at http://www.leadtesting.org/lead.htm
DO
Each time you turn the water on for drinking or cooking, let it run for at least 15 seconds before using it. Water sitting in pipes for several hours has a greater chance of picking up lead contamination.
Damp-mop or wipe any windowsills, floors, or other areas where paint that may contain lead is peeling or flaking. Don't let your children play in untested suspect areas. Be careful -- normal vacuuming or dusting may just spread around the dust.
If you have young children, insist that your health professional test their blood lead levels, with a test sensitive enough to detect a problem at the current Centers for Disease Control threshold of 10 micrograms per deciliter (10 ug/dL).
DONT
Never use hot water (ie straight from tap ... istead heat cold water) )for drinking, cooking, or especially for making baby formula. Heat increases the leaching of lead into water.
Don't store liquids in ceramic or leaded glass containers or crystal, especially in handmade containers that may contain lead.
Lead In Drinking Water from Lead Pipes Lead Plumbing Solder