Lead in tap water

In researching my previous post about ways we ingest lead every day, I was really surprised to learn that lead from the water in your home is a bigger source than I previously thought. I did not realize how much and how recently lead was used in plumbing applications. Admittedly, this is still a small source of contamination, but remember that the effects of lead are cumulative. It builds up in the body and is stored in your brain and bones and can be released into the bloodstream again as bones break down. My personal goal, especially concerning my little one who has multiple places of brain damage from lead, is to minimize further lead exposure in every way possible. 


If you live in a home with plumbing older than 1990, lead could be a concern. Lead solder was commonly used to join household plumbing pipes until the late 1980's. In the US, drinking water with less than 15 ppm of lead is considered safe and in Canada, the guideline is 10 ppm after the water has been allowed to run until it is cold. Corrosion can cause lead to leach from your plumbing into your water and exceed these levels. The recent switch from chlorine to chloramines to treat water may also cause more leaching because it increases corrosion in water supply systems. Older municipal systems may also still have the original lead pipes or connectors too. Studies have shown that a lot of lead is released in to the water supply system when these old pipes are removed as well so it is good to be aware of any work like that going on in your area. Brass faucets and fixtures also contained a significant amount of lead until around 1997 as well and can leach that right into the water you are using. 


If you are concerned about lead in the tap water in your home, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Young children drink bath water, it may be best to have them take showers
• Hot water causes more lead to leach. Use only water from the cold water faucet for drinking and cooking. 
• Water that has been sitting in the pipes will contain more lead. Run the faucet for 30 seconds or more before you use the water. 
• Do not use tap water to prepare infant formula.