There is no safe level of lead in drinking water. Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups, especially pregnant people, infants (both formula-fed and breastfed), and young children. Some of the health effects to infants and children include decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can also result in new or worsened learning and behavior problems. The children of persons who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy may be at increased risk of these harmful health effects. Adults have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems. Contact your health care provider for more information about your risks.
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) has reduced the maximum allowable lead content — that is, content that is considered “lead-free” — to be a weighted average of 0.25 percent calculated across the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures and 0.2 percent for solder and flux. Lead levels may vary and therefore lead exposure is possible even when tap sampling results do not detect lead at one point in time.
What is lead and where is it found?
Lead is a toxic metal that is harmful to human health. We can be exposed to lead through a variety of sources. Sources of lead exposure include
- lead industry
- lead based paint (e.g., paint chips or dust)
- lead in water
- lead in the air
- lead in soil
- lead in consumer products and food
Even when water entering a facility meets all federal and state public health standards for lead, older plumbing materials in schools and childcare facilities may contribute to elevated lead in their drinking water. Lead can enter drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content that corrodes pipes and fixtures. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are
- lead pipes or pipes with lead solder
- faucets
- lead fixtures
In homes with lead pipes that connect the home to the water main, also known as lead service lines, these pipes are typically the most significant source of lead in the water. Lead pipes are more likely to be found in older cities and homes built before 1986. Among homes without lead service lines, the most common problem is with brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and plumbing with lead solder.
Important Steps You Can Take to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water
Below are recommended actions that a person may take, separately or in combination, if they are concerned about lead in their drinking water. The list is not intended to be exhaustive or to imply that all actions equally reduce lead from drinking water.
• Run your water. The more time water has been sitting in pipes, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, and the length of the lead service line. Residents should contact their water utility for recommendations about flushing times in their community.
• Lead in hot water is a health concern because lead dissolves more easily in hot water than cold water. This means that hot water from the tap is more likely to contain lead and should not be used for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula. Use only cold water for drinking, cooking and making baby formula. Remember, boiling water does not remove lead from water.
• Point of use (POU), or filter, units are commercially available and can be effective in removing lead. Use your filter properly. If you use a filter, make sure you use a filter certified by an American National Standards Institute accredited certifier to reduce lead. Read the directions to learn how to properly install and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter.
• Clean your aerator. Regularly clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
• Replacement of Outlets: If the sources of lead contamination are localized and limited to a few outlets, replacing these outlets or upstream components may be the most practical solution.
• Provide Bottled Water: This can be an expensive alternative but might be warranted for pregnant persons, infants, and young children.
Get Your Child Tested to Determine Lead Levels in His/Her Blood
A family doctor or pediatrician can perform a blood test for lead and provide information about the health effects of lead. State, city or county departments of health can also provide information about how you can have your child’s blood tested for lead. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that public health actions be initiated when the level of lead in a child’s blood is 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or more.
