Lead
Could I Be At Risk?
What can I do?
Lead Laws
More Information
Lead seldom occurs naturally in water supplies like rivers and lakes, and lead is rarely present in water coming from a treatment plant. Lead enters drinking water primarily as a result of corrosion or wearing away of materials containing lead in the water distribution system and household plumbing.
Despite concerns about drinking water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that “the greatest exposure to lead is swallowing or breathing in lead paint chips or dust.”
Lead is, however, a concern because it is a toxic metal that can cause immediate effects at high doses and long term effects if it builds up in the body over many years. Lead can cause brain and kidney damage in addition to effects on the blood and vitamin D metabolism. Children are more vulnerable to lead because their bodies are smaller, and because they are still developing. Pregnant women and their unborn babies are also at higher risk for negative health effects associated with lead exposure.
Could I Be At Risk?
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Quick Facts
- Lead is a common, naturally occurring metal found throughout the environment.
- The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead-based solder used to join copper pipes, faucets made of brass and chrome-plated brass, and in some cases, pipes made of lead that connect a home to the water main (service lines).
- Drinking water is rarely the sole cause of lead poisoning. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 10 to 20 percent of lead exposure in young children may come from drinking water.
- However, infants drinking mixed formula can receive 40 to 60 percent of their exposure from drinking water.
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In 1986, Congress banned the use of solder (a material used to join copper pipes) containing more than 0.2% lead and restricted the lead content of pipes and pipe fittings to 8%. These materials, although they contain small amounts of lead, are considered “lead free.” The EPA banned sale of plumbing fixtures that are not "lead free" after August 6, 1998.
All states now require the use of “lead free” materials in public drinking water systems. However, old, piping and other water system components may still contain lead. In addition, older homes could contain lead service lines, which connect household plumbing to the public distribution system. In addition, faucets and fixtures installed before 1998 can contribute small amounts of lead to drinking water.
Lead is commonly a problem in very new homes and old homes built before 1930. Older homes are more likely to have plumbing fixtures containing lead. The plumbing in newer homes, on the other hand, has not yet built up mineral deposits that can help prevent lead from dissolving into drinking water, a phenomenon known as leaching.
Systems that deliver soft water, which has fewer dissolved minerals, and water that is more acidic and higher in dissolved oxygen can be more corrosive, increasing the risk of lead contamination. Watch for frequent leaks, discolored water and stained dishes or clothes, as these are all signs of corrosive water. Also, check with your local water utility to find out more about whether your water is corrosive and what can be done. You can also find out if your public supply system contains any lead piping.
What Can I Do?
If you’re concerned about lead in your drinking water, you can take several steps to limit possible exposure.
- Testing at the tap is the only way to measure the lead levels in your home or workplace. You can’t see, smell or taste lead in your water. If you choose to have your tap water tested, be sure to use a properly certified laboratory. Testing usually costs between $20 and $100.
- To find a state certified laboratory, contact a state certification officer, whose information is provided at this EPA Web site: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/labs/.
- Flush your tap water. Flushing the tap is particularly important when the faucet has gone unused for more than a few hours. It takes time for lead to dissolve into water, so the first water drawn from the tap in the morning or after a long period of non-use can contain higher levels of lead. Flushing clears standing water from your plumbing and home service line to ensure you are getting drinking water from the main, where lead is rarely present. Let the water run from the tap until it is noticeably colder (this may take up to two minutes or more) before using it for cooking or drinking.
- Remember, you must flush EACH drinking water faucet after long periods of nonuse for this strategy to be effective.
- CONSERVATION TIP: use flushed water for non-potable purposes such as watering plants or washing dishes. You can also store water from a tap that has been flushed in the refrigerator for later use.
- Some home treatment devices remove lead, but not all do. Devices tested and certified specifically for lead removal should say so on the box. For guidance on product selection, try NSF International.
- Once a treatment device is installed, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s recommendationsfor proper maintenance.
- Use only cold water for cooking or drinking. Lead leaches more easily into hot water than cold water.
- Boiling water DOES NOT remove lead.
- After moving into a new home, remove faucet strainers and rinse them to remove any debris. This can be done periodically to remove accumulated debris as well.
- Make sure lead free materials are used when building any new home.
If you are concerned that you or a family member may have been exposed to lead, consult with your family doctor or pediatrician to receive a blood test for lead and learn more about the health effects associated with exposure.
Lead Laws
1986 SDWA Lead Ban
In 1986, Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act, lowering the lead content of pipes, fittings and fixtures. The regulation required that solders, which typically contained about 50% lead, contain no more than .2% lead, and pipes and pipe fittings could contain no more than 8% lead. The law banned the sale of those plumbing materials containing higher amounts of lead after 1998.
Lead and Copper Rule
In 1991, the EPA published the Lead and Copper Rule. This rule requires that all public drinking water systems regularly test a sample of high-risk homes for lead at the tap. If more than 10 percent of homes tested have lead concentrations higher than the EPA “action level” of 15 parts per billion, individual water utilities are required to notify area residents via newspapers, radio, TV and other means.
Note: One part per billion is the equivalent of half a teaspoon of water in an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
If the lead level remains consistently above the action level, the water supplier must take steps to control corrosion.
Since the early 90’s, some states, such as California, have enacted more stringent lead standards, and it is possible that national regulations will follow.
Some of this information is available in printable PDF format.
For more information:
EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-800-426-4791
National Lead Information Center 1-800-LEAD-FYI