How to Address the Dangers of Lead Pipes

Although lead pipes seem like a relic of the past, over nine million homes in the country still receive water through lead service lines. While laws over the past 20 years have attempted to reduce exposure, lead service lines or pipes were the norm prior to the 1986 Safe Drinking Water Act.

Today, lead may be present in the pipes taking water to your house, connecting your home to the main municipal water system or your tap. In these scenarios, lead ends up in the water when the pipe or solder begins to decay or through water that sits in the pipe for several hours. Understand the dangers of lead exposure and what you can do.

Issues with Lead

Knowledge about the effects of lead on the human body emerged nearly a century ago. Yet through corporate interests and lobbying, the substance remained in paint, pipes and other materials throughout most of the 20th century.

Not all exposures to lead are equal. The body cannot absorb lead through touch alone, but it can through consuming foods and substances that contain lead, as well as breathing contaminated air. Once in the bloodstream, lead can affect the brain, kidneys and alter red blood cell production.

Exposure is more serious with infants and children, as it can influence nervous system development. High levels of lead exposure may cause behavioral and cognitive issues, impaired physical development, stunted growth and anemia. Yet adults are not immune. Excessive lead exposure through water and food can manifest as high blood pressure and issues with the kidneys and reproductive system.

Identifying Lead in Your Pipes

Lead pipes are not always a health concern. The interior may be lined with oxidized metal, preventing water from coming in direct contact with the lead. Yet water quality can cause the oxidized layer to corrode and multiple factors need to be balanced, including pH level and chemicals.

To determine if lead is seeping into your supply, the water should be tested. You can also ask your local water authority for information about service pipes. Additional signs of lead include:

Managing Lead Pipes

The amount of control you have over lead pipes varies. You can replace any pipes present in your home but cannot alter those used for your city or town’s municipal water system.

If your region still uses lead service pipes, you can reduce exposure by:

• Running the cold water faucet for at least 15 seconds before drinking from the tap or cooking.
• Reducing how frequently you use the tap. You can fill a pitcher or jug at the beginning of the day and use this for hydration and cooking.
• Avoiding drinking and cooking from the hot water faucet.
• Boiling with caution, as this can increase the concentration of lead in the water.
• Filtering your water before drinking and cooking. As not all filters remove lead, look for one meeting NSF/ANSI Standard 53 and NSF/ANSI Standard 42 requirements.
• Running the water on cold for at least five minutes to flush the system.
• Giving bottled water to children and pregnant women, including for cooking, drinking and formula preparation.

If you’re concerned about lead pipes or solder in your home, work with MJ Fahy & Sons to have your plumbing replaced and the water tested. Contact us to schedule an appointment today.