Do You Have to Worry About Lead in Water Pipes?

Most of us may know the danger of lead, which is a toxic substance especially harmful to children and pregnant women.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and population, exposure can lead to abdominal pain, constipation, depression, nausea and other symptoms. Particularly high levels of exposure can lead to anemia, weakness, and kidney and brain damage. Unfortunately, many times these symptoms do not appear until dangerous exposure levels have occurred.

In 2015, flint, Michigan, was exposed that nearly 100000 residents were exposed after the city changed its drinking water source, making national headlines.

Lead and pipes go back a long time: the word plumber actually comes from the Latin word lead, which means lead. CDC said that the most common sources of lead in drinking water are pipes, taps and plumbing devices, especially those manufactured before 1986.

So, how should you pay attention to the lead in the pipeline? Here are some things you should know.

Legislation to reduce pollution

According to the environmental protection agency, in ancient times, the Romans used this substance in water pipes because it was cheap and reliable. "According to many modern scholars," Jack Lewis, former editor of the EPA journal, wrote, "the world's greatest empire died of slow poisoning." lead poisoning "or the symptoms of lead poisoning were obvious as early as the first century BC."

However, in modern times, legislators have passed laws aimed at reducing lead pollution. For example, the clean water act and the safe drinking water act stipulate the allowable lead content in water.

In 2011, international pipeline manufacturers promoted the lead reduction in drinking water act, which aims to reduce the lead content in some pipeline systems from 8% to a weighted average maximum of 0.25%. In 2014, US President Barack Obama signed it into law.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention, the lead in the water may come from the lead pipe connecting the water pipe to your home (also known as the service line). Or you can still use a household pipe welded with lead - the pipe material corrodes when it enters your drinking water.

Read more: do you know what your pipe is made of?

How do I know if my water is polluted?

You cannot see, smell or taste lead in drinking water. Your water supplier can tell you whether there is a lead pipe entering your home, and if so, what procedures can help you remove it.

If you require, many public water supply systems will also test water for you.

The EPA also requires all community water supply systems to provide their customers with an annual water quality report called the consumer confidence report on July 1 each year. Here are some ways you can find local reports. If you have a well or your water comes from other private water suppliers, please contact your local health department for more information.

How to reduce lead in drinking water

In addition to conducting a lead test on your water and understanding what your service line is made of, please follow these additional tips provided by EPA:

Run your water. Before drinking, use tap water, shower, wash clothes or dishes to wash the pipes in your home. The time of running water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line, and if so, how long it is. Please contact your water company for advice on the flushing time in your community.

Keep abreast of the buildings near you. Construction may lead to more lead coming out of the service line.

Use cold water to drink, cook and make infant formula. Lead dissolves faster in hot water, and boiling water will not remove it from the water.

Clean the aerator of the faucet. Sediment, debris, and lead particles will gather in your aerator and contaminate your water.

Use your water filter correctly. Make sure your filter is certified to remove lead. Check out NSF international for some options. Read the instructions carefully to learn how to install and use the ink cartridge and when to replace it. Do not let hot water flow through the filter.