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How does lead get
into my tap water?
Measures taken during the last two decades have greatly reduced
exposures to lead in tap water. These measures include actions taken
under the requirements of the 1986 and 1996 amendments to the Safe
Drinking Water Act (http://www.epa.gov/safewater/sdwa/sdwa.html)
and the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule (http://www.epa.gov/safewater/leadcop.html).
Even so, lead still can be found in some metal water taps, interior
water pipes, or pipes connecting a house to the main water pipe in
the street. Lead found in tap water usually comes from the corrosion
of older fixtures or from the solder that connects pipes. When water
sits in leaded pipes for several hours, lead can leach into the
water supply.
How do I know if my tap water is contaminated with lead?
The only way to know whether your tap water contains lead is to have
it tested. You cannot see, taste, or smell lead in drinking water.
Therefore, you must ask your water provider whether your water has
lead in it. For homes served by public water systems, data on lead
in tap water may be available on the Internet from your local water
authority. If your water provider does not post this information,
you should call and find out.
Does a high lead level in my tap water cause health effects?
High levels of lead in tap water can cause health effects if the
lead in the water enters the bloodstream and causes an elevated
blood lead level.
Most studies show that exposure to lead-contaminated water alone
would not be likely to elevate blood lead levels in most adults,
even exposure to water with a lead content close to the
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) “action level” for lead of
15 parts per billion (ppb). Risk will vary, however, depending upon
the individual, the circumstances, and the amount of water consumed.
For example, infants who drink formula prepared with
lead-contaminated water may be at a higher risk because of the large
volume of water they consume relative to their body size.
What can I do to reduce or eliminate lead in my tap water?
If your tap water contains lead at levels exceeding EPA’s action
level of 15 ppb, you should take action to minimize your exposure to
the lead in the water.
You should begin by asking your water authority this question:
1. Does my water have lead in it above EPA’s “action level”
of 15 parts per billion (ppb)?
If the answer is no, your water does not contain lead at current
levels of concern.
If the answer is “yes,” also ask the next question:
2. Does the service pipe at the street (“header pipe”) have
lead in it?
This information is very important. It determines which of the next
two actions (A or B) you should follow to protect your
household’s health.
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A) If the
pipe in the street (“header pipe”) does NOT have lead, the lead in
your tap water may be coming from fixtures, pipes, or elsewhere
inside your home.
Until you eliminate the source, you should take the following
steps any time you wish to use tap water for drinking or cooking,
especially when the water has been off and sitting in the pipes
for more than 6 hours:
a. Before using any tap water for drinking or
cooking, “flush” your water system by running the kitchen tap (or
any other tap you take drinking or cooking water from) on COLD
for 1–2 minutes;
b. Then, fill a clean container(s) with water from this
tap. This water will be suitable for drinking, cooking,
preparation of baby formula, or other consumption. To conserve
water, collect multiple containers of water at once (after you
have fully flushed the water from the tap as described).
B) If the pipe at the street (“header pipe”) DOES
contain lead, lead in the tap water may be coming from that pipe
or connected pipes (it may also be coming from sources inside your
home).
Until the lead source is eliminated, you should take the following
steps any time you wish to use tap water for drinking or cooking,
especially when the water has been off and sitting in the pipes
for more than 6 hours. Please note that additional “flushing” is
necessary:
a. Before using any tap water for drinking or cooking, run
high-volume taps (such as your shower) on COLD
for 5 minutes or
more;
b. Then, run the kitchen tap on COLD for 1–2 additional
minutes;
c. Fill a clean container(s) with water from this tap. This
water will be suitable for drinking, cooking, preparation of baby
formula, or other consumption. To conserve water, collect multiple
containers of water at once (after you have fully flushed the
water from the tap as described).
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2. In all
situations, drink or cook only with water that comes out of the tap
cold. Water that comes out of the tap warm or hot can contain much
higher levels of lead. Boiling this water will NOT reduce the amount
of lead in your water.
3. You can also reduce or eliminate your exposure to lead in
drinking water by consuming only bottled water or water from a
filtration system that has been certified by an independent testing
organization to reduce or eliminate lead. See
resources below.
4. Children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to
the effects of lead exposure. Therefore, for homes with children or
pregnant women and with water lead levels exceeding EPA’s action
level of 15 ppb, CDC recommends using only bottled water for
cooking, drinking, and baby formula preparation. Because most
bottled water does not contain fluoride, a fluoride supplement may
be necessary.
Also, be aware that some bottled waters have not been tested and may
not be appropriate for consumption. Contact independent testing
organizations that certify bottled water. See
resources below.
5. Make sure that repairs to copper pipes do not use lead
solder.
If my water has high lead levels, is it safe to take a bath or
shower?
Yes, bathing and showering should be safe for you and your children,
even if the water contains lead over EPA’s action level. Human skin
does not absorb lead in water.
__________________________
This information applies to most situations and to a large majority
of the population, but individual circumstances may vary. Some
situations, such as cases involving highly corrosive water, may
require additional recommendations or more stringent actions. At all
times, your local water authority remains your first source for
testing and identifying lead contamination in your tap water. Many
public water authorities have Web sites that include data on
drinking water quality, including results of lead testing. Links to
such data can be found at the following EPA Web site:
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo.htm.
Resources
Please visit the following sites for more information:
General:
EPA Ground
Water & Drinking Water (http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead/index.html)
This site includes comprehensive information on lead in drinking
water. Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791.
Water Fluoridation:
CDC
Oral Health Resources (http://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/topics/fluoridation.htm)
This site includes water fluoridation fact sheets, frequently asked
questions, and publications.
Bottled Water and Water Filters:
NSF
International (http://www.nsfconsumer.org/water/bottled_water.asp)
A nonprofit organization that certifies bottled water and water
filters. Consumer Affairs Office toll-free hotline: 1-877-867-3435.
International Bottled Water
Association (http://www.bottledwater.org)
The trade association that represents the bottled water industry.
Information Hotline: 1-800-WATER-11. |
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