No doubt, there are plenty of harmful contaminants in drinking water that might be detrimental to your health. And today, we are going to talk about one of the most dangerous and commonly found water contaminants which is Lead. This toxic contaminant can cause kidney problems, and increased blood pressure in adults.
While kids & infants are vulnerable to lead because it affects them at a lower exposure level than adults. For kids, exposure to lead can cause learning disabilities, damage the nervous system, and impair the function of blood cells.
Also, read our latest guide about Lead Impact on Human Health & Different Ways To Remove it
How Lead Get Into the drinking Water
Lead can get into the drinking water through corrosive water pipes. This type of water has high acidity and low mineral content which may corrode lead. Although, corrosive water isn’t itself harmful when it is consumed. But when it dissolves enough metals like lead, it poses potential health risks.
How To Protect Yourself From Lead
Since lead in drinking water often comes from corrosion water pipes. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a treatment regulation for lead. This procedure tries to nip the problem in the bud by controlling the corrosivity of water.
Check Your Home’s, Water Pipes:
If your home was built before 1990, then it is most likely possible that it contains lead pipes. Many of the lead-leaching pipes are still in homes all across the United States.
However, if you aren’t sure about lead pipes, then you should call your local supplier in the city/town and ask them if they have lead service lines. Because there is no known limit of lead in water considered safe.
Test Your Tap Water For Lead:
Even with the local authorities testing the community-wide plumbing system for lead, your home might still have internal plumbing materials. And the worth thing about lead is that it doesn’t leave any signs behind.
This means, there is nothing that you can see, smell, or taste. So, the only way of telling that your water pipeline contains lead is by testing it.
You can look at high-quality laboratories in your area, provide the sample and get the results.
Install A Water Filter:
For additional protection from all contaminants including lead, it is highly recommended to install a water filter in your home. However, don’t skip out the manufacturer’s instructions, so that you would know when the filters need to be cleaned or replaced.
Moreover, always remember to regularly clean your faucet's screen, because lead particles can also build up there.
Let The Tap Run:
You might be thinking letting the tap run for some time is a waste of water, but it is a precaution. At the start of each day, you should flush out the faucets by letting the water run for at least 3-5 minutes.
Start Drinking Cold Tap Water:
Hot/warm water is more likely to contain harmful contaminants like lead. Therefore, it would be good if you start using cold tap water for both drinking & cooking.
Moreover, there is a common misconception boiling can remove bad contaminants, boiling only removes less powerful impurities. Boiling water doesn’t remove lead.
Harmful Effects of Lead in Drinking Water
Lead is a highly toxic substance that can pose serious health risks if ingested. Lead can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Once in the body, lead can accumulate in the bones, teeth, and soft tissues, which can cause a number of health problems.
Exposure to lead has been linked to a variety of health problems, including learning and behavior problems, anemia, hearing loss, and kidney damage. Lead exposure is also harmful to pregnant women and can lead to a variety of health problems in both the mother and child, including premature birth, low birth weight, and learning and behavior problems.
The amount of lead in drinking water can vary depending on the source of the water, how the water is treated, and how long it has been sitting in the pipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is lead?
Lead is a heavy metal and a water contaminant that can be found naturally in the environment. It is also used in a variety of products, including lead-based paint, pipes and plumbing materials, and some types of pottery and ceramic glazes.
Where does it come from?
Lead can enter drinking water when service pipes that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content that corrodes pipes and plumbing fixtures. Lead can also enter drinking water through home plumbing that contains lead.
How can lead get into my drinking water?
Lead can enter drinking water when service pipes that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content that corrodes pipes and plumbing fixtures. Lead can also enter drinking water through home plumbing that contains lead.
What are the health effects of lead?
Lead is a known human carcinogen. It can also cause a variety of other health problems, including high blood pressure, anaemia, and damage to the brain, kidneys, and nervous system.
How can I figure out if there is lead in drinking water?
If you are concerned about lead in your drinking water, you can have your water tested by a certified laboratory. Your local water utility can also provide information on testing laboratories in your area.
How to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water?
If you are concerned about lead in your drinking water, you can take steps to reduce your exposure. These steps include using cold water for drinking and cooking, flushing your pipes before using water, and using a water filter that is certified to remove lead. You can also have your water tested by a certified laboratory to find out if it contains lead.
Final Words:
Lead in drinking water is a serious problem, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. If you think there may be lead in your drinking water, have it tested and take steps to filter or remove the lead. So, you should only use filtered or bottled water for cooking & drinking, especially for kids, and pregnant women.